Best and Worst Whey Protein Powders

Have you found it difficult and confusing to choose a whey protein powder? You’re not alone because choosing a whey protein powder now requires the skill of a wine connoisseur. The taste, types of cows used, grass-fed vs. grain fed, heavy metal testing, artificial colors or sweeteners, cold processed vs. high heat, isolate, concentrate, hydrolyzed or ion exchange, etc. As you can see, it has become a science of its own to determine the best whey protein product for you beyond the amount of grams of protein.

The Differences Between Whey Concentrate and Whey Isolate

What are the biggest differences between whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate?

1) Whey protein concentrate costs less to produce than whey protein isolate and therefore should cost less money for you. This is usually a sign that a product has inferior quality, however, it isn’t true in this case.

2) A good whey protein concentrate usually has 80% protein compared to 90-96% protein in whey protein isolate. This is because concentrate contains small amounts of fat, cholesterol, and lactose, and isolate requires more processing to eliminate these further and increase the protein content. As you will see from the labels, we are only talking a difference of a few grams. However, if you are sensitive to lactose, isolate is going to be the better choice.

3) Whey protein concentrate’s distinct advantage comes containing more bioactive compounds found in the fat that positively influences hormones and immunity. Dietary fat and cholesterol is needed for testosterone production (and estrogen for women) and improves absorption of key vitamins and carotenoids. The IgG immunoglobulins are a source of glutamine and cysteine needed for glutathione (master antioxidant system) and are bound to fat. CLA – while in a modest amount in fat and higher in grass-fed animals – is an important compound for burning fat and fighting cancer.

Do You Even Need Whey Protein Powder?

Are protein powders really necessary? I’ve grappled with this question for a while, and after reviewing hundreds of sports nutrition food diaries, I’ve concluded that a large percentage of the athletes I have seen do not get enough protein for their activity level. This is especially true post-recovery. Liquid protein post-workout is extremely effective and efficient for amino acids, protein, and minerals quickly to the muscles. From my own experimenting, I have continually gone back to using whey protein because I can physically see the difference in my body. While you can maintain and repair with proper protein from fish, meat, and eggs, my opinion is that grass-fed whey protein gives you a distinct advantage for recovery and results. Plus, it is incredibly convenient for a quick breakfast or when you need something that digests quickly before your workout. Here are the best and worst whey protein powders.

How to Choose a Whey Protein

Here are your code words and phrases: Cold processed, whey concentrate or isolate depending on allergies or fat preference, tested low for heavy metals, hormone free, grass-fed (more important for concentrate, and has an environmental bonus), affordable, and does not contain sucralose or any artificial color, artificial flavor, artificial sweetener or natural flavor that contains MSG. All whey protein in the United States is flash pasteurized. The process that follows is where the difference in retaining certain compounds changes. In one study comparing cold processing to standard heat treatment, lactoferrin, transforming growth factor (TGF-?2), BSA and immunoglobulins were all found in higher levels in the cold processed whey. Some companies will provide testing for their levels of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin.

The Best Whey Protein Powders

When I first wrote this article, there were not nearly as many grass-fed whey protein options as there are now. So as of July 2015, consider the ranking system updated. ProMix has taken the new number #1 spot due to its excellent pricing in bulk. Currently, for 5 lbs. and 76 servings it is $75.99. That is roughly $1.00 for 25 grams of protein per serving. Compare that to some grass-fed whey protein powders that are 1-2 lbs. and more than twice that cost per serving. It follows all the parameters of being grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone free, non-GMO and cold processed without any unnecessary or problematic additives. I reached out to the company, and they generously sent me a heavy metals report proving that it is exceedingly low in all those tested.

NorCal Organic Whey is a very high-quality whey from Jersey cows in Humbolt and Del Norte counties in northern California. It would be great to get a comparison of whey protein powders based on the breed. Maybe I’ll get on that. I have been to these regions, and the pasture is very lush and healthy. This company is also very mindful of winter feed. “When harvested grasses are not enough to meet the cows increased nutritional and energy needs during winter months they are given an organic Non-GMO Project Verified blend of barley, alfalfa, corn, and minerals.” It is cold-processed, organic, antibiotic free, does not use any bleaching or acid processing, tested for both heavy metals and all impurities, and is about as pure as it comes.

This is a great economic deal for grass-fed whey from year-round pastures, but the protein content is little lower at 16 grams. The company (Well Wisdom) performs testing annually to ensure that the highest amounts possible of the fragile immune fractions are retained in their native forms. These values are listed on the label (Immunoglobulins, Lactoferrin, and Serum Albumin).

Mt. Capra was the protein powder of choice for the 2014 Superbowl winners, the Seattle Seahawks. According to Mt. Capra, “At the beginning of the season, we were approached by the certified nutritionist for the Seattle-based team and were informed that currently the team was being fed a GMO-laden soy protein powder at every team meal. This, of course, had to stop. The NFL’s premier team couldn’t settle for a protein powder (soy) that was highly allergenic, filled with dangerous phytoestrogens, and literally a frankenfood (GMO).The teams forward thinking nutritionist inquired if Mt. Capra would be willing to start supplying our clean and digestible protein powders to the Seahawks. We, of course, were thrilled to partake in the success of our favorite NFL team and eagerly began sending large 40-pound boxes of protein to the team.” There are multiple protein powders available through Mt. Capra. My favorites include Double Bonded Protein, Deep230 and Goat Whey protein that is only available through health care practitioners. I have talked with this company many times, and each time I’m very impressed with their process and attention to detail. They having been making goat products since 1928, and continue to churn out superior products. All of the criteria is matched including the milk being grass-fed, organic, no artificial colors or flavors, GMO-free, they use refractance window drying for cold processing and own their own goat herd in my favorite place, the Pacific Northwest. Ingredients of Double Bonded Protein: Goat milk protein, fermented goat milk protein, organic cocoa powder, natural chocolate flavor, guar gum, xanthan gum, and stevia. *If you do not like the taste of goat products and do not have cow dairy sensitivities, stick with the cow.

Wild Whey concentrate comes from grass-fed cows in south Australia, ensuring pasture year round and purity from pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins. Wild Whey claims to test for the highest levels of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and serum albumin. It is sweetened with stevia, making it a good choice for people who like their protein shake a little sweeter. I have found that the stevia sweetened whey powders go best mixed with plain yogurt.

If you are looking for a whey protein isolate instead of a concentrate due to lactose intolerance, Antler Farms from New Zealand provides an exceptional product. It provides 26 grams of cold processed protein from cows fed on grass year round with a clean ingredient list. This one is pretty sweet, so I recommend mixing it with plain yogurt.

The Worst Protein Powders

The standard formula for many whey protein powders (especially big companies) will include feedlot dairy fed GMO corn, GMO soy (from some reports even candy or turkey manure is thrown in!) treated with growth hormones and antibiotics, GMO soy lecithin, artificial sweeteners and possibly unhealthy levels of heavy metals. I’ve highlighted the main things to avoid on the label. Heavy metals will be hidden and need 3rd party testing, which also makes me wonder what else is hidden. One of the main sweeteners you will see used is sucralose. Sucralose is anorganochlorine. It has been found to wreak havoc on intestinal bacteria (up to 50% destruction) and express two p-450 enzymes, which activate carcinogens. Your beneficial bacteria is responsible for up to 80 percent of your immune system, your ability to lose fat, maintain selenocysteine levels present in the catalytic center of enzymes to protect the thyroid from free radical damage, and emerging research is connecting anxiety and depression to low beneficial bacteria populations. You will see online forums try to downplay the issues with artificial sweeteners, but my question is if it doesn’t benefit you, why use it? I’ve added the popular brands here, however, you will find the label pattern is the same for the majority of these type of whey protein powders.

1. Muscle Milk If you can buy it in a can at a 7/11 or Rite Aid, you should probably be suspicious. I am still shocked to read that athletes are drinking this product. If you think that “cold processing” and “grass-fed” are just some fancy schmancy talk, then I’ll explain why this is so important. Here is an example of using heat for processing and getting milk from feed-lot cows. What happens with this combination? You make number #1 on the list from Consumer Reports for toxic heavy metal contamination and get called Metal Milk. I don’t know about you, but I prefer a drink without excessive levels of cadmium, arsenic, mercury and lead. They have also felt the hot breath of the FDA on their neck for mislabeling their products, apparently because their product isn’t milk.

What is acesulfame potassium aka acesulfame K? It’s often blended with other artificial sweeteners to yield a more sugar-like taste, which is why it gets less attention. Methlyene chloride is a solvent used in the beginning step of creating Acesulfame K. What is methylene chloride? According to the EPA, it is predominately used as a solvent in paint strippers, removers, and pharmaceutical drugs, and as a propellant for insect sprays and aerosol paint sprays. Exposure from the inhalation of methylene chloride has been linked to headaches, nausea, memory loss, liver and kidney issues, visual and auditory dysfunction, cardiovascular problems and an increased rate of cancer.

According to this FDA 2003 document, “methylene chloride, a carcinogenic chemical, is a potential impurity in ACK resulting from its use as a solvent in the initial manufacturing step of the sweetener. In the past, FDA has assumed that methylene chloride is present in Acesulfame K at the LOD of 40 ppb (worst-case scenario) and has evaluated its safety by performing a risk assessment for methylene chloride based on this level. No new information has been received to change FDA’s previous risk assessment for methylene chloride.” You know how much of this should be considered safe for human consumption? Zero parts per billion.

2. EAS Myoplex In the same study from Consumer Reports, EAS Myoplex had the highest amount of the toxic metal arsenic. According to the EPA, arsenic causes thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; numbness in hands and feet; partial paralysis; blindness and cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate.

3. BSN Syntha-6 Protein BSN Syntha-6 Protein is the second highest selling whey protein on Amazon. All of the reviews are spent raving about the taste, that’s it. What people don’t realize is that companies use artificial sweeteners because they are addictive and send a signal to the brain to keep drinking or eating without an off switch. Studies have repeatedly shown that people who drink diet drinks or use artificial sweeteners actually gain fat because it increases carbohydrate cravings, worsens insulin sensitivity and stimulates fat storage. So while you are using a protein to gain muscle, it contains artificial sweeteners to make you crave sugar and carbohydrates to pack on some fat with it, not to mention the other list of side effects they can cause. Aspartame has finally received the bad publicity it deserves, but many companies are still resorting to using the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium and sucralose or Splenda as it’s known. Don’t be fooled by the politics and flawed studies involved with artificial sweeteners. They are big business like anything else and are subject to corruption. Both should be avoided.

4. TastyWhey by Adaptogen Science The first step is correct using a cold process for their whey concentrate, however, there is no mention of the source of the dairy. I was really surprised to see a product still using partially hydrogenated oils. In this case, it is partially hydrogenated coconut oil in the form of coconut powder, that also contains corn syrup solids, sugar, soy, and carrageenan. You may better know partially hydrogenated as synthetic “trans-fats,” the kind that the FDA has now banned in U.S. processed food within the next three years. Now we have soy and canola oil being used in processed foods and restaurants which really isn’t better at all, but that’s another story. Isolated fructose, artificial flavors, and sucralose are also combined in the protein, making this whole formula problematic on so many different levels.

5. IsoPure Zero Carb IsoPure is a whey protein isolate, which if that’s all it was I would have no problem with it. While it makes a claim to be “aspartame free,” it follows the same formula of adding artificial flavors and sucralose as the other formulas. This product tries to differentiate itself by adding vitamins and minerals to the profile. Upon first glance, you may not think much about it. But when you break down the forms of the vitamins and minerals, you see some shortcuts in the form of folic acid (best as methylfolate and certain people may need to avoid folic acid), cyanocobalamin (best as methylcobalamin), and magnesium oxide (worst form, only 4% absorbed). “Natural flavor” also always needs to be confirmed by the company that it isn’t MSG, which spikes glutamate levels. If people are using multiple vitamin and mineral fortified powdered products, bars, and supplements, they can start getting higher doses of certain minerals like copper, selenium and manganese that can be problematic. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the collective totals in conjunction with your diet.

7. Quest Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder Quest uses sucralose and carrageenan. There is research showing that “exposure to the common food additive carrageenan may lead to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance,” therefore contributing to the development of diabetes in mice. There has also been some concern in studies looking at human intestinal cells that may translate to a pro-inflammatory response on the digestive system. Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Micellar Casein), Natural Flavors. Contains less than 2% of the following: Cellulose Gum, Sunflower Lecithin, Steviol Glycosides (Stevia), Salt, Carrageenan, Sucralose.

383 Comments

consider a Fish Protein – it is new since this article was written – available in USA under AminoMarine brand. Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Wild Caught fish source so its hormone and antibiotic free, also small south pacific anchovy source – so no bio-accumulation issues that larger gamefish have.

and Lastly – it tastes GOOD ! you won’t believe it, but its true – perfect addition to a smoothie.

Jennifer Lomax
on September 17, 2016 at 10:26 am

Sounds completely disgusting! But I said the same about cricket protein and I tried it.. not bad at all. Psychologically I couldn’t keep taking it though.

Karen Trimble-Olson
on March 26, 2018 at 6:23 pm

Hi Alex!
I was wondering if you could tell me what you think of Tera’s Organic Whey. The ingredients look good.
Thank you!
Karen

Karen Trimble-Olson
on March 26, 2018 at 6:26 pm

Also, if I am taking whey protein and organic bone broth do I need a collagen protein supplement? Is whey protein enough to help the body make collagen?
Thank you so much for your time:)
Karen

Alex Swanson
on March 27, 2018 at 7:01 pm

Hi Karen,

If you are drinking bone broth, then you are getting the best source of collagen and it wouldn’t be necessary to take additional collagen supplementation. Collagen is produced by the amino acids glycine, proline and lysine and vitamin C. Taking additional vitamin C would be a way to help boost collagen production.

Alex Swanson
on March 27, 2018 at 8:19 pm

Hi Karen,

I think Tera’s Organic Whey is a good quality product, just a little pricier than comparable whey protein powders.

According to the company, IsoNatural contains soy lecithin even though it is not on the label. Their support team did not know if it was grass-fed, however if it’s not advertised as grass-fed, then it probably isn’t.

I am just can’t seem to find a great whey that is non-denatured, cold pressed, grass-fed BUT NOT including stevia or any soy or sunflower lecithin.

Scouring the internet and so many ingredients list. If anyone knows of any please do let me know! Thanks so much!

Alex Swanson
on July 14, 2014 at 5:47 pm

Hey Cat,

I actually just discovered one. I was approached by Designs for Health regarding their grass fed whey, and agreed to meet with them. I sampled it and told them that the xylitol was way too sweet. I just noticed that there was a formula change where they have it with just whey, no sweeteners or lecithin. I’m not sure if it is advertised online, but I’ll look for it.

Alex Swanson
on July 15, 2014 at 10:19 am

I’m not sure if they had this formula before, but I definitely didn’t see it until recently. I have added it to the article. It is Designs for Health Unflavored.

kate Richards
on April 25, 2016 at 7:12 am

In their most recent practiioners catalog it looks like the ‘whey cool’ vanilla contains ONLY natural vanilla flavor (they do not specify sourced from vanilla beans).

The unflavored/unsweetened ” Proprietary why protein concentrate (proserum). I’m not sure why this is listed in the ‘other ingredients’ for the unflavored…it is the proprietary whey used in all three formulas.

One problem though, they have admitted to mislabeling in the past and refused to refund peoples’ money. I just don’t trust them. Also, to avoid denaturing from pasteurization, it’s using radiation to kill bacteria. It’s not legal to sell raw.

Interesting articles you have, thumb up!! I have never pay attention to all this ingredients when i was taking MusclePharm combat protein powder but after i read your website i do see all of them are using the same thing.

Alex, very solid information on your site. In reference to BEST/WORST protein powders have you any information on the meal replacement product from IDLife…http://www.idlife.com/mealreplacement/index.html I appreciate your knowledge and feedback, Thank you!

Alex Swanson
on December 10, 2014 at 9:11 am

Hey Matt,

Everything appears to check out in terms of their processing method, including both whey isolate and concentrate, and not using any suspicious fillers or sweeteners. It doesn’t say if their whey is grass-fed, which is what I would ask. I couldn’t find a contact us on their website.

Jeff Harris
on February 2, 2016 at 11:03 am

Great article Alex! I have been using protein powder for many years now but only recently became aware of all the potential issue and the need for “clean” protein. I do love the IDLife Shake product and have been using for about a year now. I found this on the website :”Whether your goal is to lose weight, tone up or just feel better and healthier, the IDLife Shake is the answer to what you’ve been looking for. Through a combination of organically derived, high-quality, cold-filtered Whey Protein from hormone free grass fed cows and micro-milled chia seeds, which are known as a great source of healthy omega 3 fatty acids and Fiber, the IDLife Shake delivers the absolute best tasting shake possible designed to stimulate metabolism, feed lean muscle, and curb your appetite. One taste and you’ll know why we call it the most nutritious and with great-tasting meal of the day!*” IDLife is adamant about having only the highest quality of anything and their protein is derived from grass fed cows in New Zealand as they are very strict regarding GMO’s, pesticides and the like. I also enjoy having the micro-milled chia seeds for the extra omega 3’s and for adding a smoothness to the product. I love it! They are also very big on not putting “label paint” in their products, ingredients that do not have well studied benefits and a good safety profile. Thanks for putting out this well written article!

John
on December 18, 2014 at 5:52 pm

How do you rate isagenix?

Alex Swanson
on December 21, 2014 at 1:13 pm

Hi John,

Is there a certain product from them you have in mind? Usually with companies like these, there will be some high quality products and others that are not.

Jennifer Lund6
on May 26, 2016 at 7:01 am

The have a pure protein powder and a meal replacement (hi protein) mix. Botherwise are good and come in multiple flavour’s.

Jennifer Lund
on May 26, 2016 at 7:02 am

…”both are”…

Debra
on August 27, 2016 at 1:12 pm

Hi, Alex-
I was wondering about your thoughts on the Isagenix Isalean protein shakes. How do they stack up on the best/worst list?

Alex Swanson
on August 30, 2016 at 5:22 pm

Hi Debra,

Do you have one specifically in mind that you want me to analyze?

Chelsey
on September 14, 2016 at 8:53 pm

Please do a review on the IsaLean Dutch Chocolate. Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on September 16, 2016 at 6:40 pm

Hi Chelsey,

Isalean is technically a meal replacement shake and contains an added vitamin, mineral and carbohydrate profile. It uses the wrong form of B12 and synthetic folic acid, and uses isolated fructose for a total sugar count of 11 grams.

The issue with these types of shakes is that it is very easy for people to get high amounts of poorly made vitamins when combining sources from multivitamins and fortified foods.

Isolated fructose is a problem because it negatively affects sex hormone binding globulin, and therefore hormones.

Trent
on February 14, 2015 at 12:28 pm

What are your thoughts on creatine? If you think it is beneficial to supplement for muscle gains what particular products do you recommend and dosages/cycle?

(My goals being to increase reps and strength as efficient as possible without concern for weight gain/loss).

Note: I am vegetarian as in no meat/fish. My protein comes from legumes, soy, at most 2 eggs daily, whey, casein. Since I’m aware meats are a source of creatine.

Trent
on February 14, 2015 at 12:44 pm

And do you have any other recommendations for weightlifting supplements?
I already obtained upon recommendation from your blogs multivitamins, vitamin c, magnesium citramate, and cordyceps.
Some weightlifting supplements that are suggested I found on http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/top-5-supps-for-faster-muscle-gain.htm are beta alenine, bcaa, and glutamine.

I have found that supplement combination with grass-fed whey and a solid diet to be the most effective approach. Everything else I’ve tried or seen athletes try has appeared to be a waste of money that should be spent on high quality protein.

Alex Swanson
on February 17, 2015 at 4:45 pm

A lot of the concerns about creatine’s lack of long term studies – especially when I first start practicing sports nutrition – have been debunked and there is actually quite a bit of research showing its safety. I’ve seen people get great results, and others not see any change. It may not be necessary for those who eat enough red meat and fish, but for lacto-ovo vegetarian weight lifters it could be beneficial. The typical loading does is 5g 4x a day for 7 days, then 5g daily as a maintenance dose. You can skip the loading dose and start with 5g daily. Many people feel that it works faster with the loading dose. I recommend using creatine monohydrate with carbohydrates post-workout and avoiding caffeine. I currently do no have any particular products I recommend, but look for ones with guaranteed purity testing.

Ddjdje
on May 25, 2016 at 12:49 am

I had good results with it. Basically it loads your body with what it needs to recover but your body responds to it based on what it needs. This is a layman’s perspective but it’s precisely what happens, and what happens is probably not only what keeps it legal in sports, but also why it isn’t necessarily bad for you, unless the substance later turns out to be. No long term study conducted by a company focusing on “safety” is looking at anything other than extreme health, and the FDA isn’t monitoring it so that means the gate is open. So, who knows if there are changes, such as in the brain, as a result. In terms of dice rolling, at least you know you aren’t likely to roll a losing combination because no losing combination is even known to exist!

Caffeine after a workout isn’t an issue. Before a workout it is. Combined with creatine in any stage, the argument is that they cancel out each other. Or could. op might know something I don’t.

Michael
on May 10, 2015 at 11:12 am

Has anybody used Whild Whey by Wild Foods? It seems like a great protein if everything the lable says is true. Ive been using it a couple weeks and really like it so far. I feel a big difference using a good whey post workout instead of trying to get all of my protein from food alone. Id like to see an independent lab review of these proteins to see if the lables are accurate.

How would you evaluate Optimum Nutrition”s 100% Whey Gold Standard? My 14 year old son tried a sample at Costco, and believes it’s absolutely the best, and their website claims that they are the standard, and have won the Top Whey prizes. How would you explain to him the difference? He generally does not want to listen to me, his Mom. He is small and want to gain weight and muscle. HE also needs protein to help heal post TBI (traumatic brain injury) and recent tests show that he is not getting enough protein in his diet. HE thinks that anything organic tastes awful (I always buy and feed him organic food).

Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on June 1, 2015 at 1:37 pm

Hi Theresa,

Optimum Nutrition’s Whey Gold Standard is a very popular whey protein, possibly due to its price point and advertising in the body building community. It is on the lower end of heavy metal contamination according to Consumer Reports. However the label I have reviewed shows that it contains artificial flavors and colors and acesulfame K (and according to customer service sucralose is used as well in most of their products). The artificial flavors and colors are a propriety blend, so therefore they are not obligated to say what exactly they are. I think this should be disclosed to the consumers. Sucralose is a synthetic organochlorine, in the same family as Agent Orange, DDT, PCB’s, pesticides and insecticides. Acesulfame K contains questionable amounts of methylene chloride, a classified carcinogen. The company said that the 90 percent of the dairy comes from the US, and 10 percent from the European Union. They cannot claim non-GMO because the cows are eating GMO corn and soy. This fact may or may not be important to some people. But for health (the cows and ourselves) and environmental reasons, these animals should be on grass.

I don’t know the age of your son, but what he needs to know about gaining muscle and weight is that it starts with his diet and type of lifting program. He should really read the article I wrote on testosterone to understand the importance of eliminating pesticides, herbicides and other toxins that harm testosterone levels and therefore muscle gain. It gives great diet and supplement tips for gaining mass. Whey protein is a convenient adjunct to the diet, but it won’t put on muscle without a solid protein centered whole foods diet low in toxins and sugar. In terms of the brand of whey protein, 20-25 grams of whey that is cold processed and without the harmful additives/heavy metals are all going to perform well with a good diet and lifting regime, despite what claims or marketing awards are given out.

Thanks for sharing. Not everyone realizes that whey protein shakes are not all the same. I am a fan of the cold pressed chocolate protein shake by Xocai healthy chocolate. It uses whey protein isolate is gmo free and has over 56,000 ORACfn in antioxidant. Each serving is 21 grams of protein which is why it is recommended for weight loss and popular with body builders. I would be happy to send you a sample if you would like to try it. I used to be a customer of this product but it was cheaper to become a distributor and buy it wholesale.

The UK equivalent that I know of would be The Organic Protein Company grass fed whey from northern Germany.

Michelle
on September 15, 2015 at 4:36 am

What about lifesource vitamins whey concentrate or isolate?

Alex Swanson
on September 15, 2015 at 9:19 am

Yes the Lifesource whey looks excellent.

Michelle C
on July 10, 2016 at 5:10 am

What about good old Designer Whey and or Shakeology

Alex Swanson
on July 10, 2016 at 12:37 pm

Hi Michelle,

Here is my reply about Designer Whey from a previous comment: Designer whey does not use grass-fed whey, and the dairy comes from the midwest. It has tested low in heavy metals. If this was just an isolate, it would be fine. While it doesn’t appear to have anything overly negative that stands out, since it is an isolate and a concentrate, it is my opinion that any concentrate should be grass-fed.

Shakeology uses a whey protein isolate instead of a concentrate, and uses dairy that is antibiotic free. Their adaptogen and probiotic blend is impressive and combining it with whey is a smart move. They use isolated fructose as their sweetener and add cheap forms of vitamins and minerals including magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, folic acid and cyanocobalamin. I explain a little more in depth in my multivitamin article why these forms may need to be avoided, and why methylfolate and methylcobalamin should be used. If they removed the fructose and cheap vitamins and minerals, it would be a good product.

bev
on June 9, 2017 at 4:03 am

Designer Whey has a new grass fed protein,how does it look to you? My brain hurts from trying to search a powder that is good, but won’t send me to the poor house.

Alex Swanson
on June 9, 2017 at 9:21 am

Hi Bev,

The Designer Whey product looks well formulated and doesn’t have any potentially harmful ingredients. The whey source is from Wisconsin, which means the batch may or may not be grass-fed depending on the time of the year it was processed. Whey protein powders that use this source typically are less expensive. If you look at the cost of Promix in bulk, it is the same cost per serving as the Designer Whey.

Sid
on September 16, 2015 at 12:34 am

Hi,
I have started hitting the Gym for the Past 3 months but am not able to see much results. Now am planning to go for the Whey Protein. My trainer instructed me to go for the ISO 100. After much result am totally confused. Please guide me to this. Shall i go for it ???????

Alex Swanson
on September 16, 2015 at 8:36 am

Hi Sid,

No I wouldn’t recommend ISO 100 due to the use of soybean oil, artificial flavors and sucralose. Any of the above options will give you the same results without the additives.

Darius
on October 30, 2015 at 8:51 am

Hey. I really had high hopes for Promix but it taste incredibly bad! I even tried my usual method of adding fruit to an almond milk protein shake. It just became a blue glass of nastiness.

Any other comparable options that are tastier?

Alex Swanson
on October 30, 2015 at 11:18 am

Hi Darius,

I am shocked you didn’t like the taste. I have had nothing but positive feedback with Promix. Were you using a whey protein before that used sucralose or stevia before? I would double check with the company that you didn’t get a bad batch because the taste is very faint. That is the best one in the lower price range. Any of the grass-fed options on the list will be comparable in quality. Mt. Capra and Pure Power in particular are a little sweeter.

Darius
on October 30, 2015 at 6:52 pm

thanks for the quick response. I’ll research those others too.

Ariadna
on December 6, 2015 at 3:48 pm

Hi Alex,

Thank you for the valuable information. I am trying to build upper body muscle so I can lift myself (pull-ups, chin-ups, dips), but I have never had a strong upper body though I look lean and muscular. Men make it look so easy…

I was wondering if/what you know about the Trader Joe’s (Trader Darwin’s) Whey Protein Powder Quick Dissolve, with 21 vitamins and minerals (low fat, low sodium). I like that it has all the added vitamins and minerals, but I also noticed that it contains some soy lecithin. Plus, I could take the vitamins and minerals separately, so I am more interested in the protein and muscle recovery agents.

Also, one of my friends highly recommends Formulx Whey Protein Isolate. Do you know anything about that one? Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on December 7, 2015 at 9:31 am

Hi Ariadna,

I am a big proponent of bodyweight exercises, so I’ll do what I can to help! The Trader Joe’s Whey protein doesn’t claim cold processing – which means it could use higher heat – and this creates toxic compounds. It uses isolated fructose, which works against you for building more muscle in multiple ways. It doesn’t appear to be grass-fed, which means in the concentrate form it may contain some undesirable contaminants. The vitamins and minerals are in a poor form, very low and essentially useless. It uses a synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) which is the form that has been found in studies to cause negative health effects.

The Formulx looks like a good product, but be aware that the vitamin profile is only 10% of the RDA, which doesn’t fill the need of any vitamin and mineral, if you were wondering about supplementing separately. The cost is $2.30 per serving. Compare that to Promix which is only 88 cents per serving.

I used BioChem natural whey protein for many years and when the scare was out that protein powders contained high levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, I wrote to the company asking if their protein powder contained levels of those toxins but I never received a reply. Does anyone know if BioChem contains high levels of those toxins? I really loved this protein powder. No sweeteners, no fat, low calories. Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on December 12, 2015 at 6:21 pm

Hi Mag,

I can’t find a contact email or phone of BioChem. If you have it, I’ll reach out to them and find the answer for you.

kate Richards
on April 25, 2016 at 7:20 am

Alex,

BioChem is owned by Country Life vitamins. You shoud be able to get a solid response from them. They do have certified organic options that I believe are from pastured animals. They say ‘ultra filtration’ but do not make any reference to heat processing/cold processing.

Rachel
on January 2, 2016 at 7:33 pm

We’ve been using Naked Whey for about a year. Great results. Usually mix it with almond milk, cacao powder, almond butter & honey. What do you think about their product?

Alex Swanson
on January 2, 2016 at 9:08 pm

Hi Rachel,

Yes, excellent product like Promix. Naked Whey may even be from the same supplier(s) in California as Promix. Promix is $10 cheaper for the same 5 lb. quantity. That protein shake sounds delicious by the way!

Rachel
on January 3, 2016 at 6:43 pm

Thanks! In the morning, I make it with 4oz almond milk & 4oz strong coffee. Yum! I’ll give Promix a shot…sounds great!

Bruce.westphal
on January 4, 2016 at 9:24 am

I have been usinf sfh whey protein formseveral years, taste,excellent, label states it is very best . Product is not on your listings are you familiarmwith it.

Alex Swanson
on January 4, 2016 at 10:02 am

Hi Bruce,

SFH is a good grass-fed whey protein, using the same methods and sources as the others I have listed. It will be a little sweeter due to the stevia than Promix, which is personal preference. But if you are looking for the best deal at the same quality, a 2 lb. bag of SFH is $44.99, compared to $79.99 for a 5 lb. bag of Promix.

Adam
on December 8, 2016 at 6:45 am

SFH is non certified grass fed from new Zealand (ultra high temp short time pasteurization, like all proteins you can by from New Zealand on alibaba.com), and have you noticed they do not disclose their sugar content. This is a dietary supplement, not a food.

Most bovines are exposed to some grass, and without a proper certification you wont know if that pasture/grass exposure is 1% & 99% grains, or 85% grass-fed & 15% grains… WPC sells for 3$ / lb from most suppliers. Don’t waste you’re money.

Becky
on January 8, 2016 at 3:22 am

Any thoughts on Whey Natural?
Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on January 10, 2016 at 8:20 pm

Hi Becky,

Whey Natural is grass-fed, however I would prefer that dextrose is not added. I would choose one with stevia only or without a sweetener.

I couldn’t find anything on their site that indicated it was grass-fed. I sent them an email inquiring and asking for heavy metal test results.

I believe Promix only comes in 5lb quantities.

Alex Swanson
on January 19, 2016 at 12:03 pm

The company said that it is non-GMO, but the animals eat grain and grass.

Vignesh
on January 23, 2016 at 9:08 am

Thanks Alex for your update. Since it didn’t show any heavy metals report, is it ok to go ahead and try this. Will you recommend.

Alex Swanson
on January 23, 2016 at 10:31 am

Yes, looks like an ok choice.

Vignesh
on January 24, 2016 at 6:52 am

Thank you

Clayton
on January 22, 2016 at 7:58 am

How about Now Foods Whey? What are your opinions on the quality of their product? They are supposed to be GMO free, gluten free, etc. They do use soy lecithin, but I figured since they are GMO free, it would be ok. Thoughts?

Alex Swanson
on January 22, 2016 at 9:47 am

Hi Clayton,

Now Foods Whey has a concentrate, an isolate and a concentrate, and a pure isolate. The concentrate is the only one that is organic. It is free of growth hormones and antibiotics, uses low heat, tested low for heavy metals and does not contain artificial sweeteners. I called the company, and they said the dairy comes from Wisconsin cows that feed on grass most of the year except for winter. The cost comes to $1.32 a serving, and compare that to 88 cents a serving for Promix. You would be correct that GMO free would mean that the soy used isn’t GMO, however I do prefer sunflower seed lecithin over soy for something you may be using daily.

If you wanted to use NOW Foods Whey, I would choose the certified organic concentrate, but Promix is a better deal.

Hi Alex, I got to this list from the link in your article about the best supplements for concussions. My 16 year old son just got his second concussion. I have been using Source Naturals True Whey for years for myself. Could you please tell me if you agree that this is a quality product. I have not checked with them regarding heavy metal intent though. Also, should I let him mix it with organic milk? I always though milk caused inflammation in the body, but it doesn’t mix that well with water and he doesn’t like the taste. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Alex Swanson
on February 6, 2016 at 2:30 pm

Hi Sandi,

So sorry to hear about your son. Source Naturals True Whey is grass-fed, and the company is mindful regarding chemicals and heavy metals, although I haven’t seen a verified test. However, it has a low protein content (8g per scoop), which means you really need two scoops to get 16g. So the 41 servings should really be 20.5 servings. For your son, I would recommend a higher protein content per serving like Promix which has 25g per serving. Milk can be inflammatory, but it depends on the individual. If he gets stuffed up after drinking milk, it is causing inflammation. Fermentation can help, and sometimes people do better on kefir, or goat’s milk or goat kefir.

Audrina
on February 9, 2016 at 12:21 am

What about Teras whey? I just started working out and want to use whey. My bf INSISTS on using Muscle Milk but after researching i refuse. I have been looking for a clean protein powder and i found Teras on amazon. Nothing but great reviews. What do you think? Great artice btw solid info would really appreciate a response! 🙂

Alex Swanson
on February 9, 2016 at 9:17 am

Hi Audrina,

Tera’s Whey comes from Wisconsin, similar to NOW. This means that the cows have access to grass most of the year, while being fed grain during the colder months. The non-organic whey may come from small farms that farm organically but aren’t certified, but you may want to choose the certified organic version to ensure purity. As for pricing, it is $25.99 for 12 servings in a 16 oz. container. That is $2.17 a serving compared to 88 cents a serving for Promix.

Lynn Griffin
on February 14, 2016 at 9:45 pm

I use to drink slim fast for two meals a day but can’t have that much vitamin k, what would you recommend for a good weight loss protein meal replacement powder that isn’t full of bad ingredients or vitamin k? I did find organized organic protein from Costco, thoughts?? Thanks!

Lynn Griffin
on February 14, 2016 at 9:47 pm

Orgain Organic Protein

Alex Swanson
on February 15, 2016 at 12:12 pm

Hi Lynn,

The Orgain Organic Protein looks good for a plant based protein powder. The only time you will find vitamin K in protein powder is in weight loss shakes with added vitamins, or with an added greens powder. The one you chose or any of the whey protein choices in this article will work well for your goals in accordance with the rest of your diet.

Lynn Griffin
on February 15, 2016 at 8:20 pm

Thank you for responding!

ROLENE
on February 23, 2016 at 3:28 am

Hi Alex,
My 16 year old boy would like to use a Whey powder but I’m very concerned about pumping my child with all the wrong ingredients.
We live in SA and there is a product Nutrismart Whey powder which is “100% organic” – please advise these are the ingredients:
Amino Acids, Alanine, Arginine,Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan,Tyrosine, Valine

Hi Alex
Just noticed Alanine, Arginine,Aspartic acid, Phenylalanine, are found in Nutrismart product aren’t these found in Aspartame and isn’t Aspartame dangerous.

Thanks, sorry I sound paranoid.
Regards

Alex Swanson
on February 24, 2016 at 9:54 am

Hi Rolene,

No worries, it is important to ask these types of questions. Those listed are naturally occurring amino acids in the right ratios with the other amino acids. Aspartame breaks down to isolated and elevated levels of aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. These higher isolated levels lead to toxic effects and block the transport of other amino acids, along with the issues of methanol metabolites.

Rolene
on February 25, 2016 at 1:24 am

Thank you – I am going to be buying this product for my child so want to make sure I make the most informed decision.

Char
on February 29, 2016 at 8:18 am

Are there still lead concerns in Mt Capra?

Alex Swanson
on February 29, 2016 at 9:35 am

Hi Char,

I have spoken with Mt. Capra and their heavy metal testing shows exceedingly low levels of all heavy metals.

CParent
on March 1, 2016 at 4:59 pm

Hi Alex,
Just wondering what your thoughts are on Isagenix Isalean Shakes?

Alex Swanson
on March 1, 2016 at 5:27 pm

Hi Caroline,

I think there are better options at lower prices. This is a meal shake, so it is a little different than a pure whey protein powder due to a multivitamin profile and added fiber/carbohydrates. There are pros and cons on the ingredient label. It is grass-fed and has some decent ingredients, but the cons are isolated fructose, sunflower oil, zinc oxide (poor form), cyanocobalamin (should be methylcobalamin) and folic acid (should be methylfolate). It is $50 for 14 servings, putting it at $3.57 a serving. I think a superior approach is a pure grass-fed whey with 1/2 banana, blueberries and flaxseeds or chia seeds if you want a higher fiber intake. This will give you vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates in the optimal form and ratio.

Tee
on March 3, 2016 at 9:50 pm

Are you saying Shakeology is bad for you? I used to take Shakeology but now I’m trying TastyWhey by Adatogen Science. What are your thoughts on that product?

Alex Swanson
on March 4, 2016 at 12:29 pm

Hi Tee,

The Shakeology protein powder tested high for lead, so no I wouldn’t recommend it. I also do not recommend Tasty Whey by Adaptogen Science, which contains partially hydrogenated coconut oil (the bad kind), corn syrup, soy, carrageenen, fructose, artificial flavors and sucralose.

Alex Swanson
on March 21, 2016 at 9:32 am

Hi Tee,

I followed up on Shakeology. As of their last testing, Shakeology updated their formula and passed the test lead free. I will be removing it from the worst list.

Amanda
on August 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm

Recent Labdoor reviews indicate shakeology failed lead testing as recent as 2/2017. What do you know of this and what leads to lead being in a shake mix?

Alex Swanson
on August 25, 2017 at 12:50 pm

Hi Amanda,

Thank you for the update. It looks like Labdoor is using the guidelines set forth by California’s Prop 65 for lead, which is extremely strict for many products that contain whole foods. I am in California, so I see this warning all the time and it creates a lot of confusion. I purchased a chaga mushroom product from the Canadian wilderness that had this warning on it. Proposition 65 requires a warning notice on any product that provides 0.5 micrograms of lead daily. This is 12 times lower than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Lead is in our soil and water, and trace amounts are in the food we eat. So it is really challenging to know if the amount is really excessive according to Prop 65 when an avocado would probably fail too.

PJ
on March 6, 2016 at 8:11 am

Any thoughts on BioTrust Low Carb?

Alex Swanson
on March 6, 2016 at 10:45 am

Hi PJ,

This is a new one to me. I sent them an email with some inquiries. I’ll let you know when they get back to me.

Alex Swanson
on March 8, 2016 at 9:35 am

Hi PJ,

I received an email back, however it was an automated reply asking me to sign up for their forum and look for answers there. So they are not getting any points for customer service. I read through their literature on their site and watched their videos.

First, they don’t use any artificial sweeteners, hormone free whey (but doesn’t claim to be grass-fed) and low-temp processing. It is a 25% blend of whey protein concentrate, isolate, micellar casein and milk protein. This is similar to the Mt.Capra Double Bonded product. They also added prohydrolase, which is an enzyme that helps breakdown protein. I have seen this marketed as a separate supplement before. Their main marketing pitch is that their protein is time released, so allegedly you absorb more protein compared to other whey products. I can’t confirm if this is actually true without proper clinical testing of the product itself compared to other products. While I think the integrity of the product is good, I think it may be overhyped for its price when you can buy high quality whey that delivers results for a lower price.

PJ
on March 8, 2016 at 10:06 am

I’ve been using it for a while now and really like the taste without being gritty. I always get it “on sale” so never pay what they advertise as full price. Was just wondering where it fell in your scheme of best/worst. Thanks for the reply.

Karen Smith
on March 6, 2016 at 8:21 am

Do you think the Mt Capra is better than the Promix in price point and quality? My boyfriend is a Chiropractor. Just wondering if I could use him to get the Mt Capra for me. Thoughts?

Alex Swanson
on March 6, 2016 at 10:35 am

Do you mean if you get the Mt. Capra at wholesale cost? The Mt. Capra Double Bonded is $2.17 per serving, so say you were able to get it at cost and it was 40-50% less, Promix would still be a better deal. I think they are on par with each other quality wise, but goat is preferable if there is any sensitivity to cow dairy.

Diane Thomson
on March 6, 2016 at 8:39 am

What about the Vega brand?

Alex Swanson
on March 6, 2016 at 10:25 am

Hi Diane,

I have used the the Vega Sport Performance, and if you are looking for a plant based alternative to whey for working out, this would be a good choice. Only complaint I had and other clients who have used it was that it seemed a little heavy on the digestion.

Diane Thomson
on March 7, 2016 at 4:28 pm

Thank you! I haven’t used the sport performance one, just the regular vanilla. I like the flavor and haven’t had any digestive issues myself.

Great info thank you. I have used Healthy-N-Fit Whey Pro Amino for l5 years. I am very curious to hear your opinion about it. They were the first whey isolate i ever heard of back then. The ingredients have changed very little all this time and has allways been artificial free. The source of the lecithin is soy but, why you don’t like lecithin? I shop around each time i order and get it for around $55 after shipping for 5 lb. which has sixty 30g servings. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/hfit/whey.htm

I found the promix chocolate on amazon and it is $80 for 73 servings that have 21g protien. That is more than a $1 per serving. HNF Whey ProAmino has 80 servings with 22.5g of protien at less than $1 per serving. The promix has concentrate instead of isolate. concentrate slower to digest and causes protien farts if your lactose intolerant or not. HNF adds back the good stuff missing from most isolates and enhances the amino acid profile in favor of building muscle. I have never looked into the source of whey or heavy metals so I still look forward to your opinion.

Alex Swanson
on March 9, 2016 at 2:19 pm

Hi James,

You are right. It looks like the packaging may have been updated. The 5lb for unflavored is 76 servings, and chocolate is 73. The unflavored is the one I have been recommending, and it comes to $1.05 per serving. Still over half the cost per servings of other grass-fed whey powders in comparison. I will do some research on HNF Whey ProAmino and get back to you. Also, Promix unflavored has 25 grams of protein per serving.

Alex Swanson
on March 14, 2016 at 11:01 am

Hi James,

I just received an email back. The diary is not grass-fed and is from conventional milk (also not growth hormone free). In terms of heavy metals “random checking of heavy metal content of raw materials is performed to ensure that our suppliers are providing materials which meet the specifications that have been set forth – this may be done by a third party lab or may be done internally.”

The source of the dairy may not be as important for whey protein isolate since the fat is removed, and isolate is a better choice if you are sensitive to lactose (as mentioned in the article). However it is my position that a grass-fed whey concentrate – if tolerated – is preferable for the reasons described in the article.

Jennifer Bolend
on March 14, 2016 at 9:12 pm

What about Plexus P96? I read that they do not use artificial sweeteners. How does it compare to some of the others you have recommended?

Alex Swanson
on March 17, 2016 at 8:58 am

Hi Jennifer,

I am waiting to hear back regarding a few questions I had, but overall I am not impressed by the profile and pricing of Plexus P96. From what I can see, it is 32.95 for 12 packets, with minuscule amounts of added vitamin and minerals, some of which are in the wrong form. Glad to see they don’t use artificial sweeteners, but also not standing out over other whey protein powders.

I purchased 5lbs of Z Natural Foods Goat Whey. I reacted to it like I do Cow Whey. Since I am allergic to Cow, it wasn’t good. They balked, but gave most of my money back. After I threatened to have it lab tested to see if it really was Cow.

It just sounds fishy. It’s cheap. I was just wondering what you would recommend doing about from here if they really are switching packages, and reselling it for a higher price? They just sound a bit shady over the phone.

Alex Swanson
on October 25, 2016 at 5:48 am

Hi Patrick,

Have you reacted to other goat whey protein powders before? Or notice a difference between using an isolate vs. a concentrate? You could inquire who their supplier is and get their contact information to verify.

Angela D
on March 21, 2016 at 8:48 am

Wow…this information is great. I honestly did not realize how much there is to know about Proteins powders. I did find one a while ago, and it seemed to be good. Now that I know that cold processing is important, I read that this protein powder uses a low temp process…is that bad as well?
The product is BlueBonnet Whey Protein…doesn’t sound all high tech, but I like the way it taste…however, if it’s garbage for my body, I can move on. I appreciate if you could tell me if the product is any good. Thank you!!http://www.bluebonnetnutrition.com/product/41/100%25_Natural_Whey_Protein_Isolate_Powder_Original_Flavor

Alex Swanson
on March 21, 2016 at 9:43 am

Hi Angela,

Everything for BlueBonnet looks good. Cold processing and low temperature processing is essentially used interchangeably. The important thing is that high temperature is not used. Price per serving is $1.61, so it is priced right in the middle range. It is an isolate, so if there is any lactose sensitivity it is preferred over a concentrate.

Joel
on April 6, 2016 at 4:51 am

What about now whey protein

Alex Swanson
on April 6, 2016 at 9:33 am

Hi Joel,

I recently answered this one in the comment section. I’ll post it here again.

Now Foods Whey has a concentrate, an isolate and a concentrate, and a pure isolate. The concentrate is the only one that is organic. It is free of growth hormones and antibiotics, uses low heat, tested low for heavy metals and does not contain artificial sweeteners. I called the company, and they said the dairy comes from Wisconsin cows that feed on grass most of the year except for winter. The cost comes to $1.32 a serving, and compare that to $1.05 a serving for Promix. You would be correct that GMO free would mean that the soy used isn’t GMO, however I do prefer sunflower seed lecithin over soy for something you may be using daily.

If you wanted to use NOW Foods Whey, I would choose the certified organic concentrate, but Promix is a better deal.

Alla
on April 11, 2016 at 5:31 am

I would like to hear your thoughts on preserage grass fed whey protein

Alex Swanson
on April 11, 2016 at 9:40 am

Did you mean Reserveage? It is a good one. A little sweet for some people.

Mark
on April 15, 2016 at 10:39 am

Hi Alex,

How does Source Organic Classic Whey rate in relation to the options you listed?
Thanks

Alex Swanson
on April 15, 2016 at 11:01 am

Hi Mark,

Very high quality. Up there will all the ones I have listed. I’ll make sure to add this one.

Kathryn Lloyd
on April 15, 2016 at 5:11 pm

How about Kaizen Naturals Whey Isolate (New Zealand). No artificial Flavours or colours. “Cold processed cross-flow microfiltration undenatured whey protein isolate sourced for grass-fed cows. Gluten-free. Third party tested to meet safety levels required for heavy-metals and pesticide residues.” Wondering about it, in general, and also do you think the 40mg sodium in 29 g of powder is a problem?

Alex Swanson
on April 16, 2016 at 9:26 am

Hi Kathryn,

Kaizen Naturals looks great, and no I don’t think the 40mg of sodium is a problem.

Dominic DeMatte
on April 25, 2016 at 6:01 pm

I just purchased Naked Whey. http://nkdnutrition.com. It looked really good to me, but then I saw that it was not listed among your top Proteins. Do you have any knowledge on Naked?

Alex Swanson
on April 26, 2016 at 4:39 pm

Hi Dominic,

Yes it is a good one. It appears to be sourced from similar (if not the same) farms in California as Promix. Both have 76 servings and 25 grams of protein for the 5 lb, but Promix is $10 cheaper.

Interesting information, I’ve arrived here looking information for a protein called ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate from a Company called Transparent Labs, would like to hear from an independent source like yourself.

Best regards

Alex Swanson
on May 15, 2016 at 11:24 am

Hi Nehemoth,

I like that it is grass-fed and from New Zealand, which yields a very clean product. However, they use artificial flavoring in their product. If they take this out, they have a good product.

Matt
on May 16, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Hi, I’ve been using” One World Whey” vanilla for a while ,I like it, tastes good, just wondering if you know anything about it ?
I was also thinking about switching to a grass-fed goat based protein powder, like “Swanson grass-fed goat protein” , ”Naked goat ”or ”Grazing Goat Whey Protein” by LUVBYNATURE nutrition (this one looked good) ,any info on these powders would be greatly appreciated ,thanks.

Alex Swanson
on May 17, 2016 at 9:27 am

Hi Matt,

One World Whey uses artificial flavors, so it is not one I recommend. Grass-fed goat whey is an excellent choice. Out of those three, Grazing Goat Whey Protein looks like the best, and then Naked Goat.

Fezz
on May 22, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Hi

I’ve been using Dymatize ISO 100 and ON Gold Standard.
how are these? Thanks in advance

Alex Swanson
on May 24, 2016 at 9:39 am

Hi Fezz,

I do not recommend the Dymatize ISO 100 due to the use of soybean oil, sucralose and artificial flavors. I also do not recommend ON Gold Standard due to the use of acesulfame potassium and artificial flavors.

Nicole
on May 26, 2016 at 6:40 am

Hello! I was wondering if you know anything about Unicity and how it compares to other shakes. Right now I’m using Isagenix as a meal replacement. Thank you!

I went more in detail regarding sucralose and food dyes in my best and worst electrolyte article. The studies for sucralose are found under Powerade Zero in the worst section.

MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate contains artificial flavor and sucralose, which makes it similar to most commercial whey protein powders. It is cheap at .60 cents and 21.9 grams of protein a serving, but I wouldn’t recommend it due to these additives. The Integrated Supplements Whey Protein Isolate does not use these, and instead uses Lo Han Guo which is a safe sweetener. I’m not crazy about crystalline fructose however, which is 99% fructose. High fructose corn syrup is about 55% fructose to give you an idea. It is unnecessary since Lo Han Guo is so sweet. It has 19.2 grams of protein and is $1.35 a serving. Better than MyProtein, but I still wouldn’t personally use it due to the crystalline fructose.

laxmikant kattimani
on June 3, 2016 at 4:13 pm

Promix is not available in India 🙁 can you find a cheap organic whey protein available in India? I want 5 lbs for 80$

What is your take on Athletic Greens? Is it absolutely necessary to take them or if one is getting a varied amount of fruits and veggies in their diet, that should take care of the multi vitamins?

Not sure if this is your area of expertise but I was wondering if you’re aware of any grass fed whey protein/companies which ship their products internationally to countries like India (that is where I reside)

Thanks

Alex Swanson
on June 5, 2016 at 9:33 am

The Athletic Greens product looks well designed. You should know that the vitamin and mineral content is not just from greens, but many of these are added. That’s not a bad thing when they are in the right form like methylfolate, methylcobalamin, magnesium glycinate etc.

In terms of getting enough through vitamins and minerals in your diet, that would depend on how good your agricultural system is, and if you have access to may freshly picked foods. In the US, a lot of our soil has been depleted, not everyone has access to freshly picked foods, and many people are on medications and consume many chemicals that cause deficiency. You can read more about this in Best and Worst Multivitamins and How to Make Your Own Multivitamin with Diet.

I purchased NUUN Active Hydration after reading kelly Starrett’s book Ready to Run. He had mentioned NUUN in his top list of recommended electrolytes.

I am confused as to how much misinformation is out there regarding food for us.

I have stopped using them after reading your article. I wasn’t expecting such recommendations from Kelly Starrett.

As a layman who doesn’t understand the in depth of nutrition, what is a good way to go about on finding which foods are safer for us and which aren’t?

Appreciate all your response.

Thanks again.

Alex Swanson
on June 5, 2016 at 9:25 am

Hi Krishna,

The short answer is that you to look for foods that are in their original form (not processed), picked fresh and local to you (shorter distance to travel, higher nutrient profile) and grown without chemicals, hormones or antibiotics.

What can you tell me about Swiig they have various protein shakes. I have diabetes so I need high protein good cholesterol. Low trans fat. Low carbs, low sugar. Plus I want a quality drink don’t want to waste my time like I was with muscle milk. Thanks for that by the way. Thanks for your help.

Alex Swanson
on June 9, 2016 at 10:30 pm

Hi Wyatt,

While the most of the product looks good, I wouldn’t use Swiig due to the use of isolated fructose. There are plenty of whey protein powders without any sugar that will fit the bill for diabetes listed on this page.

Wyatt
on June 12, 2016 at 9:05 am

Thanks Alex!

Minnie
on June 17, 2016 at 5:48 am

Please recommend a good goat milk or vegan protein powder. Allergic to cows milk. Looking for something that provides a high amount of protein per serving and none of the nasty ingredients. Thanks

Alex Swanson
on June 17, 2016 at 2:38 pm

Hi Minnie,

Mt. Capra has a variety of goat whey protein powders to choose from. Vegan protein powder can be a tricky due to the taste, or the high fiber content can be rough on the digestion. Vega and Sun Warrior are the most well-known vegan protein powders, but you may also want to try organic pea protein.

Anthony
on June 25, 2016 at 8:07 pm

Hello Alex , Can you tell me about Swansonvitamins Grassfed whey concentrate . I cant seem to find anything negative about it and its cost is about the same or better if you go on Automatic delivery compared to Promix . Being that cost is about the same which is a better product and why ? Thank you

Alex Swanson
on June 27, 2016 at 5:03 pm

Hi Anthony,

The major differences would be that Promix has 25 grams and Swanson Vitamins has 17 grams per serving. It also includes extra vitamins and minerals in very small amounts, however, some are in the wrong form including folic acid and cyanocobalamin. I have gone in detail about why these may need to be avoided in my multivitamin article.

I called the company, and they didn’t have the information regarding where the whey is sourced. I ask this question because sometimes the places they source the whey have limited access to grass for a good percentage of the year like Wisconsin. If I can track that information down, I will let you know.

Lots of organic stuff …..but is it good for you? Should I watch out for any of these “organic” ingredients?

2. Have you heard of and energy drink called Zeal from a company call Zurvita. I have been using it and it give me an energy boost. But from reading some of your other comments, the second ingredient is Crystalline fructose. If this product is not good for energy, what do you recommend.

Thanks so much for your time and expertise?

Alex Swanson
on July 6, 2016 at 10:53 am

Hi Tina,

1. Yes, the sodium content does seem unnecessarily high. The sugar alcohols appear to be okay in low amounts, but there is no need to add them to whey protein. While it is all organic, there just seems to be a lot of unnecessary fillers here. I would go with another whey protein.

2. I haven’t heard of it, but I took a look at the ingredients. Yes, I don’t recommend products with crystalline fructose. This product also uses folic acid which may be an issue for certain people. Methylfolate should be the form of folate used. If you look at the ingredient list, it is the caffeine from the guarana seed extract, green tea extract and yerba mate powder, b-vitamins plus the ashwagandha and maca that is responsible for energy.

Yes, sucralose should be avoided and I’m not a fan of soy protein isolate. I go into detail about sucralose under Powerade Zero in my Best and Worst Electrolyte Drinks.

Jamie Shurick
on July 7, 2016 at 2:57 pm

How about Reserveage nutrition? has cancer warning but when I called they said it was the lead in the cacao.

Alex Swanson
on July 9, 2016 at 12:42 pm

Hi Jamie,

I think Resvereage is a little overpriced ($1.99 per serving) without providing any advantage over similar grass-fed whey powders. If choosing Reserveage, you could pick the vanilla to avoid the excess lead from the cacao.

Hi Alex,
Your information is beneficial. What does your research reveal about Jay Robb Whey Protein? It’s delicious (mixed in plain yogurt) but there’s a statement on the package has me concerned .. (Paraphrasing) There is a limited supply of rBGH-free whey available and the company “may choose to procure the highest quality domestic whey protein”.

I have negative reactions to rBGH and rBST.

Thank you,
Valerie

Alex Swanson
on July 21, 2016 at 10:55 pm

Hi Valerie,

Jay Robb takes me back because I remember using his whey and protein bars about ten years ago. They claim to be a grass-fed whey isolate without any harmful additives, but as you have pointed out, they also seem to have allowed some leeway for sourcing and you don’t really know what batch you will get. I have heard of companies having difficulty sourcing grass-fed whey during certain times of the year, but this is surprising since they are sourcing from all over the world. I would recommend another grass-fed whey that has a better supply chain for year round rBGH-free grass-fed whey. If you like the taste, choose one sweetened with stevia and it should be pretty close.

Anne Marie Ruggiero
on July 24, 2016 at 1:56 pm

What are your thoughts on swigg chocolate whey protein? My gym uses it and now my son has me buying it for home too.
Thanks!
Anne Marie

Alex Swanson
on July 26, 2016 at 9:36 am

Hi Anne Marie,

Swigg has two whey products. One is grass-fed, and the other is grass-fed under 60% of the year and GMO-free grain the rest of the year. All they would have to do is take out the crystalline fructose of their grass-fed whey – which is a higher percentage of fructose than high-fructose corn syrup – and they would have a good product.

David London
on August 2, 2016 at 2:19 pm

Hi I wanted to know what you think of biPro whey protein isolate. Ingredients: whey protein isolate(milk), natural flavored, sunflower lecithin and stevia. I asked about heavy metals and hormones. They said an ion exchange is used to pull out heavy metals and that there is no estrogen. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks David

Alex Swanson
on August 3, 2016 at 10:42 am

Hey David,

I called the company and they gave me the source of their dairy which can be found here: http://davisfamilydairies.com. The cows are not grass-fed and are fed a mixture with soy and corn. This isn’t something I support, but I also recognize that for isolates this may not change the final product. Testing looks good including NSF certification. The price per serving is $1.45. I would say this is on par with other whey isolates that do not have additives or sweeteners.

Ian
on August 3, 2016 at 10:30 am

Hello,
I see your responses about ON Gold Standard. How do you feel about their Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard “Natural” line? Claims no artificial flavors or sweeteners?
Thanks in advance,
Ian

Alex Swanson
on August 4, 2016 at 10:56 am

Hi Ian,

I spoke with ON, and they do not use grass-fed dairy. Since they include a concentrate with the isolate, this is a relevant point. To their credit, they are considering a grass-fed line because they have been getting so many calls requesting it. “Natural flavor” can sometimes be MSG in disguise. Since it is considered a protected propriatory blend, companies do not have to tell what the natural flavor is. It is has been my experience however that companies will tell you if the natural flavor contains MSG or not. Optimum Nutrition could not make a claim that it is MSG free, which means it likely has it. It also contains sugar in place of the artificial sweetener. A small amount, but unnecessary.

Once I got the German translated to English, I was able to understand what was in it! Looks like a great whey protein. Germany appears to have some high quality diary products. There is a butter in Whole Foods from Germany that I get sometimes that is bright yellow. A good sign of quality pasture.

I really appreciate much your feedback. I was initially hesitated to opt for this Primal State brand (as i still prefer Promix & Naked Whey but they are unavailable in my hometown and shipping fee is unimaginably high), due to its relatively low protein content (only~ 80%). And it still contains a considerable large amount of lactose and has a slightly sour taste (based on some comments).

Rachel
on August 4, 2016 at 10:42 am

Cheers to the great article on whey protein, very informative. I was wondering if you had any information or thoughts on the Orgain brand grass-fed whey protein powder, sourced from New Zealand. Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on August 4, 2016 at 11:27 am

Hi Rachel,

New Zealand is a reliable source for grass-fed dairy. My issue with this formula is that the 5g of erythritol (sugar alcohol) may cause some digestive issues in some. The sodium is also fairly high (350mg). I also prefer a formula that doesn’t use sunflower oil or any other seed/vegetable oil. I think there are better options.

Sadie
on August 16, 2016 at 7:34 am

Hello Alex,
I found this amazing article in my search for more information on Grass-Fed Proteins. First of all, thank you for the very helpful and informative analysis and information! I was looking at a different powder and was wondering if you have any input on the company or this product:

You are very welcome! Thanks for the comment. Regarding Bulk Supplements, they are not able to tell me where the grass-fed whey is coming from in the US, but that it is grass-fed 80-85% of the time. Since this is an isolate however, the percentage doesn’t change the final product. They have a certificate for heavy metal testing which is great. The only additive is soy, which depends on whether or not you want to avoid soy. I personally do. Otherwise, it looks like a viable choice.

June Woo
on August 17, 2016 at 12:32 pm

Hi Alex, Could you please tell me if Swanson’s goats whey protein powder is free from “Acid Bleach” ? Also what’s your opinion of the quality of this prodcut

Alex Swanson
on August 17, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Hi June,

Yes, the Swanson’s goat whey protein powder is free from the acid bleach process. However that is used with the cow whey from them. The goat whey comes from New Zealand, uses cold processing, tested low in heavy metals and uses sunflower seed lecithin, so I would say this is a quality product.

No worries. Here is my response for Jay Robb: They claim to be a grass-fed whey isolate without any harmful additives, but they also seem to have allowed some leeway for sourcing grain-fed as well and you don’t really know what batch you will get. I have heard of companies having difficulty sourcing grass-fed whey during certain times of the year, but this is surprising since they are sourcing from all over the world. I would recommend another grass-fed whey that has a better supply chain for year round rBGH-free grass-fed hormone-free whey with clean ingredients.

As for Recoverite, Hammer uses a grass-fed antiobitic free whey isolate with clean ingredients. However, the protein content is very low (10 grams) and their carbohydrate source is high (33 grams) from maltodextrin. The protein content should be 15 grams to 25 grams based on protein requirements. Maltodextrin is a superior source of fuel during endurance exercise (like Heed), but I think post-recovery carbohydrates should come from nutrient dense vegetables and fruit.

laura
on August 22, 2016 at 5:36 pm

Thanks for the reply!! I’m loving all this info!

Jennifer Lomax
on September 17, 2016 at 10:25 am

I used to use Jay Robb’s but switched to Antler Farms because of this exact reason. They switched from being 100% grass fed whey protein isolate to “sometimes we use grain fed”. Not good enough for me and VERY misleading on Jay Robb’s part.

Pete
on August 27, 2016 at 10:02 pm

Hi Alex

Which protein powder would you recommend for 12 & 13 year old boys who play soccer? Also what you suggest the per serving ounce recommendations should be for them?

Alex Swanson
on August 29, 2016 at 8:19 am

Hi Pete,

Any of the recommended protein powders will work for your boys. If they prefer something sweet and taste might be a barrier, you will probably want to choose one with stevia like the Pure Power or Wild Whey. The protein amount per serving is based on weight and activity, but will most likely be in the 15-20 gram range for that age in soccer.

Jon
on September 4, 2016 at 8:34 am

I was wondering about TwinLab Protein Fuel. I have been using quite a bit of it and have indeed gained muscle from it. However, It was purchased at Rite Aid in bulk during a sale. Do you have any information about the healthiness and quality of this supplement?

Alex Swanson
on September 6, 2016 at 9:14 am

Hi Jon,

Unfortunately based on the label, it shares all of the ingredients of the worst list including artificial flavors, asulfame potassium, soy, sucralose and a concentrate from grain-fed cows.

Jon
on September 11, 2016 at 12:16 pm

Thank you for you’re answer. I suspected as much but I just wanted to hear it formally. Oh well, I feel like many people just buy whey protein from Walmart shelves without putting any thought into the ingredients. I will probably buy ON supplements next time. ON is supposedly a good brand, correct?

Alex Swanson
on September 12, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Hi Jon,

You are right. Many people assume all these extra additives wouldn’t be in there. ON also uses sucralose, food dyes, asulfame potassium, artificial flavors and colors in many of their protein powders. They do have a “natural” version that uses sugar and stevia exract, however they could not confirm or deny that the natural flavor used was MSG. I would go with Promix, it is worth it.

Kalpesh Patel
on September 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm

What do you think of Protein 17 grass fed organic whey protein powder? It comes unflavored (which I like) and It has just one ingredient. I am looking for just plain & pure grass-fed organic, unflavored, unsweetened high quality whey protein powder with no added ingredients.

Thank you
KP

Alex Swanson
on September 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm

Hi KP,

It is a little more expensive ($2.60 a serving), but everything looks good.

Kalpesh Patel
on September 7, 2016 at 1:00 pm

Alex, Appreciate you taking the time to reply…Is there any other brand that you’d recommend that is equivalent or better but less expensive?

KP

Alex Swanson
on September 8, 2016 at 8:42 am

Hi Kalpesh,

Promix works with small farms in Northern California where the cows are 100% grass-fed. The cows graze year round on pastures of clover, rye and other native grasses, and the grazing fields have always been grazing fields, and have never been used for crops or commercially with pesticides or other chemicals. It is also tested by independent third parties for soy, gluten, heavy metals, and other additives or chemicals. So if you want a very pure product at a good price, Promix is the best deal.

Tina Lee
on September 7, 2016 at 1:19 pm

Hi Alex,
What is your opinion of Garden of Life, Raw Fit High Protein for Weight Loss. Is is a Non GMO product. I like that it has a probiotic and enzyme blend that helps me with digestion. I have been using Reserveage. It is a bit expensive. Your thoughts on Raw Fit please. Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on September 7, 2016 at 1:36 pm

Hi Tina,

Looks excellent. I like that it uses sprouted forms, high in magnesium (350mg) and uses ashwagandha. I think this is an excellent plant based formula for women.

Tina Lee
on September 8, 2016 at 9:46 am

Thanks Alex for responding so quickly!!
I read your Article on how to calculate the amount of protein that you need daily. Sorry,….I guess I am a bit slow on the uptake, but I think it was a bit complicated. You talk about knowing your body fat as a percentage of how much you weigh and then multiplying by your exercise exertion level. Whew!!! Do you have a simpler approach? I know everyone is different and this is a very relative question, but any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Alex Swanson
on September 8, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Hi Tina,

Yes, it is a little complicated! That is what I use to be very precise for athletes training hard. Here is a shortcut. Get your weight in kilograms by dividing by 2.2. That is your target protein intake in grams if you are working out moderately 3-5x a week. The need for less or more will depend on your training.

Tina Lee
on September 9, 2016 at 1:53 pm

Thanks Alex. I can do that!
Tina

Kalpesh
on September 9, 2016 at 5:30 am

Thanks a ton, Alex. Really appreciate it!

Jim perez
on September 10, 2016 at 10:55 am

Im diabetic so my. Concerns are carbs and also the effects on my liver.

Alex Swanson
on September 10, 2016 at 12:28 pm

Hi Jim,

The whey protein powders with little to no carbohdyrates will not affect your diabetes. Combine it with a little fat like a nut butter or yogurt, small about of blueberries and fiber like chia or flax seeds for blood sugar stabilization.

Jennifer Lomax
on September 17, 2016 at 10:21 am

I am a big fan of Antler Farms grass fed whey protein isolate. It is from New Zealand pasture raised cows. No hormones, antibiotics, artificial sweetners. Only 4 ingredients. Taste is light and clean. I recommend it for anyone looking for a product without all the gunk in it. It’s very high quality and reasonably priced. You can get it at Amazon for $49 (30 servings, $1.63 a serving, 26 grams).

I would appreciate your take on Muscle Feast Premium Blend Unsweetened Protein.

Alex Swanson
on September 21, 2016 at 4:15 pm

Hi Mark,

It does not have any harmful additives, which is a bonus. If this was just a pure isolate, I would say it is an okay choice. The dairy farms in Wisconsin do not have access to grass a large percentage of the year, and since it contains a concentrate, 100% grass-fed is preferable.

Yvonne
on February 11, 2018 at 4:55 am

Go to labdoor.com. They do analysis on supplements including Muscle Feast. Their grass fed whey protein isolate is ranked one of the best.

Levi Randall
on September 23, 2016 at 2:49 pm

Hi Alex,

That was a great article. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Can you please evaluate the Progenex More Muscle and Progenex Recovery products. Looking forward to hearing your analysis. Thanks and have a great day!

progenexusa.com

Best Regards,

Levi Randall

Alex Swanson
on September 23, 2016 at 3:20 pm

Hi Levi,

Thanks for the feedback. The More Muscle and Recovery product contains isolated fructose, natural flavors (can be MSG) and sucralose. So I would pass on both.

Levi Randall
on October 3, 2016 at 6:09 am

Thanks, Alex!

Brittney
on September 27, 2016 at 9:57 am

Hi Alex,
I noticed that all the whey proteins listed above are whey concentrate. I have a lactose intolerance and I am trying to find a whey isolate to use for supplementing after workouts. I was wanted to know which whey isolate proteins you recommend. Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on September 27, 2016 at 3:34 pm

Hi Brittney,

I like the one Jennifer mentioned by Antler Farms. I added it to this article in case other people who are lactose intolerance are looking for an isolate.

Nicole
on October 5, 2016 at 4:03 am

Hi! I hope I didn’t miss this one, but am very curious about your thoughts on Quest brand products. They seem to have become commercialized, but I tend to go with this brand due to macronutrients. I am sure there is a better product but am curious of your thoughts!

Alex Swanson
on October 6, 2016 at 11:56 am

Hi Nicole,

I do not recommend the Quest whey protein powder due to the use of sucralose. Carrageenan may also be a problematic additive.

Ross Mosher
on October 6, 2016 at 7:59 am

Hey Alex,

Can you check out, http://www.naturalstacks.com wondering about their protein. A friend recomended it, and the ingredients look clean, but would like your professional opinion.

Thanks,

Ross

Alex Swanson
on October 6, 2016 at 1:19 pm

Hi Ross,

Yes, looks like a good product. Smart idea to combine collagen, colostrum, and whey together.

Ross Mosher
on October 6, 2016 at 8:08 am

Looking at there site they have a MAG supplement if you could look at that also.

Alex Swanson
on October 6, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Hi Ross,

The MagTech supplement also looks good and is geared more towards brain health.

In small letters under “Flavoring,” you will find sucralose. A tricky way to avoid putting it in the ingredient section. It is a concentrate, and I don’t see any information stating it comes from grass-fed cows.

Diane
on October 22, 2016 at 9:39 am

can you do a study on KAIZEN NATURALS WHEY PROTEIN.Thanks

Alex Swanson
on October 25, 2016 at 5:52 am

Hi Diane,

Most of it looks good except for the use of soy lecithin (I prefer sunflower lecithin) and natural flavors. With natural flavors, you always want to confirm that MSG isn’t used. They won’t tell you what the natural flavor is because it is considered proprietary information, but you can get it verified that it is not MSG.

Chango
on October 23, 2016 at 7:01 pm

Hi Alex, you have the best blog very informative. I was wondering what is your opinion on these Wheys

1. Klean Athlete Isolate: I don’t see any advantage to this one for the price.

2. Bob’s Redmill Whey Protein Concentrate: They use a west coast supplier that is mostly grass-fed with some non-GMO (but not certified organic grain) given if the weather is bad. No undesirable ingredients, smaller protein profile (15g).

3. Nutricology Allergy Research ImmunoPro Non-Denatured Whey Protein: This appears to only have 4 grams of protein per serving.

4. Tera’s Grass-Fed Organic Whey Protein: Good quality whey but uses soy lecithin and only has 12 servings at $2.50 a serving.

5. Jarrow Formulas Virgin Whey Protein Isolate: The Jarrow Formulas Grass-Fed Whey Concentrate is better. I’m considering adding this one to the article. Uses sunflower lecithin, 18 grams grass-fed whey from Australia and is $1.32 a serving. Personally, the stevia is too sweet for me but some people like it.

6. Davinci Laboratories Right Whey: Between the lead content and the price, I don’t know what they are thinking.

Chango
on October 25, 2016 at 9:41 pm

Thanks Alex,

I was wondering if some of these bad whey proteins with leads and additives could irritate the bowels especially if taking them long term daily like most gym nuts?

I was reading other bodybuilding forums and fitness forum’s for a few years now and I noticed something, a lot of healthy people were getting IBS symptoms and ulcerative colitis, these were extremely healthy people who ate clean measured their food and worked out, one thing I noticed was most of them took the Commercial named brand Whey proteins sold commercially everywhere, the ones that you listed as bad. and when that report came out about the contaminants Im starting to believe some of these bad metal filled and additives might have cause them issues. One guy said he was getting diarrhea with some commercial brand whey and he wasn’t Lactose intolerant he drinks milk and eats ice cream with no issue but he said he just forced himself thinking his body would adjust to it but it didnt and he said the doctor said he had inflammation of his intestine and colon and gave him some meds, I asked him how long was he taking that whey and he said for a year and he would drink it twice a day. This is why im very cautious on what type of protein I take even some of those so called Vegan ones are not as good as they claim to be and have bad additives or irritants. Im so very glad to have found your blog and this article it was very helpful, it was very hard to find answers I was looking for on legit good whey versus the bad stuff, most people recommend the commercial stuff like BSN, EAS, Muscle Milk, etc the ones that were contaminated and poor quality. I still remember a friend of mine actually telling me hey if they sell these over the counter and in big stores they have to be safe.

Another thing is I I read on this blog that Ensure, they contain emulsifiers in them like carragean, which is bad for the colon and aggravates UC and crohns and IBS, and Ensure is made by Abbot Labs, who also makes HUMIRA the medicine given to people with Inflammatory bowel syndromes like UC.
Here is the blog belowhttp://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/ensure-and-the-carrageenan-conspiracy/

Alex Swanson
on October 26, 2016 at 8:50 am

Hi Chango,

Thank you for bringing up this topic. I believe there are multiple factors at play. These commercial brand whey powders use sucralose, which has been found to destroy intestinal bacteria. Heavy metal contamination has been a serious issue and has no doubt caused health problems. “Natural flavor” in commercial whey products is often disguised as MSG; free glutamate which is unbelievably damaging to the gut/brain axis. Synthetic carrageenan is another one that is a digestive irritant. People in the bodybuilding community end up drinking a ton of commercial whey daily, creating a high glutamate environment in the gut that leads to IBS, UC and potentially other health problems.

Chango
on October 26, 2016 at 9:18 pm

Alex,

Its why Im glad I came across your blog on search! Ive been searching for clean whey to take, I stopped taking Ensure because of the bad ingredients and carragean, and their coincidental connection to HUMIRA the medication that treats UC and inflamed intestines, the assumption its as if they are creating new UC patients with the long term Ensure drinkers so they develop bowel issues and have to buy Humira.

Its weird how most people don’t see these associations either with bad ingredients in whey, Ive found it weird how it seems in the recent years when these protein powders had a popularity boom, starting in the mid 90s that a high number of new IBS,UC and crohns cases have come about and with people who are health nuts and gym freaks. Another thing is more people have these bowel issues but probably dont report it and just keep taking the bodybuilding supplement thinking their body will adapt but it doesn’t. One would think if these people are eating clean how are they developing bowel issues? the only thing I can think of are these bodybuilding supplements that seem to be a common link to all of them. It just popped in my head from years of reading many healthy lifting people saying thaty have UC or crohns disease or some type of inflammation of the intestine, it cant be teh organic and healthy food they were eating, many didnt even drink Sodas or ate junk foods, they ate healthy year round except for the supplementation. They bought those commercial whey with sucralose, carragean, etc

Its pretty often people have complained of upset stomach or having to go to the bathroom, having constipation or watery stools with these Creatine pre workout and commercial whey powders? I would read a new forum post almost daily about someone complaining about digestive issues after taking a name brand pre workout power, amino acid mix or a whey.

Alex Swanson
on October 27, 2016 at 12:31 pm

Hi Chango,

Great observation and I agree. More people in that community need to understand why they are having those issues.

I’ll just add, I suffer from a form of IBD and communicate regulatory with the IBD athletic community. In having years of experience and discussion over Whey Protein powders I’ve found that its more about company integrity and transparency over ingredients and sourcing rather than narrowing it down to lets say an artificial sweeter. If I based my diet off of the infinite studies telling me what causes irritation, I would legit starve to death 🙂

Just an example of what I’m trying to say, I stumbled upon a crossfit marketed brand called American Gainz Nutrition, they are small and only have a couple products out, but do utilize sucralose. Company did respond to my request about using a natural sugar, said it’s already in the works, we’ll see… As of now, its still one of the only products I can stomach and tastes good, no lactose…

Myself and everyone I’ve talked to that thinks Whey in general causes gut irritation that has tried these products have had amazing results as far as being able tolerate and use daily without issue. The brand is all about integrity and transparency over their ingredients, and is considered a food by the FDA (nutrition facts), not supplement facts. In reaching out to the company they were extremely informative, and essentially motivated to open up shop because of all the shady whey Protein companies sourcing from China, New Zealand etc, handled carelessly and loaded with heavy metals, fillers and free form cheap amino acids. I found it wasn’t the protein, the flavor, the sweetener, it was the garbage in the products that hurt me. IMO, I stay away from any products labeled with supplement facts unregulated by FDA. If you have a form of IBD, I do recommend you try a product called Tactical Recovery by American Gainz. I added website, also on amazon.

Alex Swanson
on December 8, 2016 at 9:41 am

Hi Roger,

Thank you for taking the time to comment and the valuable feedback. The challenging part of IBD is that there is a wide range of sensitivities and something that affects one may not affect another. But there are definitely some major ones that seem consistent including heavy metals, natural flavor that’s actually MSG, unnecessary fillers, aspartame, etc. I’m glad you found one that works for you and I hope your recommendation helps others in the same situation as well.

It looks like everything checks out okay except for the soy lecithin and natural flavors. I would get confirmation that the naturals flavor does not represent MSG.

Chango
on November 7, 2016 at 3:51 pm

Alex,

Just came across this article today on yahoo news, its about Emulsifiers added to foods many which are also in those commercial mass market wheys and colon cancer and intestinal inflammation link in mice

Emulsifiers, which are added to most processed foods to aid texture and extend shelf life, can alter intestinal bacteria in a manner that promotes intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

You are the only blog who actually touches on this stuff, so I felt you would find this interesting.

Alex Swanson
on November 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Hi Chango,

Thanks for posting the link to this article. The microbiome is becoming drastically altered by these additives. It looks like they used polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose. Polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose are both used in ice cream. Carboxymethylcellulose can be found in peanut butter, gum, bread, cakes, pharmaceutical drugs and in many commercial white wines. A lot of wine, by the way, is another Pandora’s box of additives, heavy metals, and pesticides that you never hear about or can see on the label. And we wonder why digestive disorders are skyrocketing!

Hi there. Curious your thoughts on “jay robbs” whey. Brand. Where does it fit on good or bad with quality and such.

Alex Swanson
on November 10, 2016 at 3:54 pm

Hi Sarah,

Jay Robb claims to be a grass-fed whey isolate without any harmful additives, but they also seem to have allowed some leeway for sourcing grain-fed as well and you don’t really know what batch you will get. I have heard of companies having difficulty sourcing grass-fed whey during certain times of the year, but this is surprising since they are sourcing from all over the world. I would recommend another grass-fed whey that has a better supply chain.

aaa
on November 22, 2016 at 3:59 am

how about dymatize iso protein,is it grass fed.

Alex Swanson
on November 22, 2016 at 11:41 am

Hi,

No, and it uses artificial flavor and sucralose.

Polina
on November 28, 2016 at 3:13 pm

ISOFLEX by ALLMAX!
THE BEST PROTEIN I HAVE EVER TRIED!!!
It’s100% pure whey protein isolate, contains absolutely NO Whey Concentrate and is significantly lower in lactose, fat, sugar and carbs.
btw, it’s also Canadian made! Amazing stuff and available in the US as well.
.

I don’t recommend the Vega protein powders that use milled flax seeds. I explain this in the article.

As for the UB Super Protein (Vegan one), it looks like a pretty comprehensive profile that even includes supplemental methylcobalamin, vitamin D, and K2. Since the quinoa powder isn’t sprouted, I would rotate this one instead of using it daily. Quinoa is best sprouted due to the phytic acid that binds to calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Jay Robb claims to be a grass-fed whey isolate without any harmful additives, but they also seem to have allowed some leeway for sourcing grain-fed as well and you don’t really know what batch you will get. I have heard of companies having difficulty sourcing grass-fed whey during certain times of the year, but this is surprising since they are sourcing from all over the world. I would recommend another grass-fed whey that has a better supply chain.

While the quality of grain-fed vs grass-fed with isolate is debatable, I would choose the Antler Farms product over Jay Robb for an isolate.

Myrna
on January 6, 2017 at 10:24 am

Well I just found the answer on one of your replies! Thank you very much!

Looks good. Just choose the unflavored version since the flavored ones use artificial flavors and/or sucralose.

Phil
on February 2, 2017 at 8:03 am

Hi,

Do you also recommand Promix Grass-fed whey isolate ? I am lactose intolerant so I am looking for a good whey isolate product.

Thanks

Alex Swanson
on February 2, 2017 at 8:11 am

Hi Phil,

Yes, I do. The Antler Farms whey isolate is also excellent.

Jon Chisholm
on February 3, 2017 at 6:37 am

I recently purchased Grass Fed Naked Whey Protein and Naked Casein from Amazon. Why isn’t the Casein grass-fed? What are your thoughts on Casein? I had a hard time finding grass-fed Casein and Naked seems like a solid brand. Thanks for such a useful page of information. I try to get all my nutrition from whole foods so always a little skeptical of powders of any type.

Alex Swanson
on February 3, 2017 at 9:16 am

Hi Jon,

I’m not sure why the casein isn’t grass-fed, it should be coming from the same source. Regarding my thoughts on casein, the research is a little more complicated. While whey protein has replicated research for numerous benefits and positive results against cancer by depleting cancer’s own glutathione, isolated casein may be problematic when cancer growth has initiated. While this may not be an issue for healthy people that are cancer-free, I still think it may be wise to not isolate casein. Instead, I think it should be included with the whey, as found in the Mt. Capra Double Bonded Goat Milk Protein. I haven’t seen any convincing evidence that casein is superior to whey protein for muscle building and recovery. For this reason and other health benefits, I recommend using whey protein.

From what I can see, everything looks good for a whey isolate. My only question was if their natural flavor contains MSG, but I didn’t hear back from them.

Alex Swanson
on February 7, 2017 at 12:02 pm

Hi Phil,

I ended up hearing back. You are in the clear. No MSG.

Hardeep
on February 5, 2017 at 10:04 pm

Hi Alex,

Could you please help to give your review on “California Gold Nutrition, Sports, WPI 90, Instantized Whey Protein Isolate, Ultra-Low Lactose” if you would recommend it?

Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on February 8, 2017 at 10:06 am

Hi Hardeep,

I sent California Gold Nutrition an email with questions, but I haven’t heard back. Just wanted to let you know I didn’t forget about you.

Hardeep
on February 8, 2017 at 7:18 pm

Thanks Alex, appreciate that 🙂

Alex Swanson
on February 20, 2017 at 10:33 am

Hi Hardeep,

I’ve tried multiple times and still haven’t heard anything. Based on their customer service, I would choose another brand.

Hardeep
on February 22, 2017 at 8:12 pm

Hi Alex,

Thank you for the efforts, will try alternate products. Was considering this because of higher protein content per serving and availability in Singapore, where i am based. I have been using Dr Mercola’s whey protein recommended here, and trying to explore other options as well.

samantha
on February 9, 2017 at 9:42 am

Hello Alex,

I am looking to make my first whey purchase and am considering the promix unflavored undenatured or the opportunities unflavored undenatured. I may also opt to get a chocolate version in the future. Do one of these stand out in comparison to the other?

Thank you for your time

Alex Swanson
on February 9, 2017 at 12:33 pm

Hi Samantha,

Can you provide a link for the Opportunities unflavored denatured? I’m not familiar with that brand.

So there are a few differences. First, the Promix is a whey concentrate and the Opportuniteas is an isolate. If you are sensitive to lactose you want an isolate, but if not, a concentrate has some advantages. Second, Opportuniteas is from Wisconsin whereas Promix is from California. A whey protein from Wisconsin isn’t going to be a year-round grass-fed product. However, since it is an isolate, this is less important. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice. It just comes to down cost (Promix is $1.05 per serving and Opportuniteas is $1.64 per serving) and a concentrate versus an isolate.

samantha
on February 9, 2017 at 1:06 pm

Thank you for your reply. I to not have a sensitivity to lactose. I think I will start with the promix and may try the other in the future. I did see that promix has both concentrate and isolate. Now I just have to decide between the two.

1. Jym Pre-workout-fruit punch: The main concern here is the 300mg of caffeine. Some people may tolerate that, but for people who have a slow clearance of caffeine (CYP1A2 gene CC genotype), this could be an issue for cardiovascular health.

Hi read your reviews about whey protein, do you have review on designer whey? thanks!

Alex Swanson
on February 18, 2017 at 11:00 am

Hi Gillain,

Designer whey does not use grass-fed whey, and the dairy comes from the midwest. It has tested low in heavy metals. If this was just an isolate, it would be fine. While it doesn’t appear to have anything overly negative that stands out, since it is an isolate and a concentrate, it is my opinion that any concentrate should be grass-fed.

Levi Randall
on February 19, 2017 at 7:15 pm

Hi Alex,

I really enjoy your articles and I appreciate the time and effort you put into the research. I was wondering if you could please recommend a good, clean Casein Protein Powder. Thanks again and have a great day

Thanks,
Levi

Alex Swanson
on February 20, 2017 at 10:09 am

Hi Levi,

I just recently got a question regarding casein if you want to see a more detailed response. My opinion may be different than other people, but I don’t agree with isolating casein. I haven’t seen convincing evidence that casein is superior to whey protein for building muscle and recovery, and it may be problematic health-wise as an isolate. Instead, I would use a product that has both whey and casein if you want to use casein. Mt. Capra Doubled Bonded Goat Milk Protein is one example.

Ana
on February 20, 2017 at 6:24 am

Hi, What can you tell me about LIFE SOURCE VITAMINS WHEY PROTEIN? I’ve been searching for reviews and opinions and best/worst proteins blogs and I have not seen anything on Life Source. I read their ingredients and the info they give on their product and it sounds great. I’m looking for something super health as I’m going to be giving it to my son. He is very thin for his age and doesn’t eat much, he’s a very picky eater and just started playing baseball and has no muscle mass so the doctor recommended whey protein. I’m suppose to feed him his regular 3 meals a day plus 1-2 whey protein shakes a day.. I don’t want anything that contains ,aditives,metals,and artificial flavors, etc. Can you give me your input on Life Source or anything better then it.? Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on February 20, 2017 at 10:49 am

Hi Ana,

From what I can see, Lifesource looks like a clean, grass-fed whey protein. Your doctor gave the right advice. That is the combination I use to put muscle on athletes.

What are your thoughts on Tera’s organic whey I noticed they use sunflower lecithin now instead of soy lecithin would this be a good one to use?

Jeff
on March 17, 2017 at 11:29 pm

Thanks for all the help you have given me on the multivitamins and everything by the way all your articles are fantastic.

Alex Swanson
on March 18, 2017 at 7:21 am

Hi Jeff,

Not a problem! Thanks, I appreciate it.

Michelle Coccia
on March 17, 2017 at 4:12 am

Hi, what do u think of garden of life grass fed whey?

Alex Swanson
on March 17, 2017 at 11:20 am

Hi Michelle,

The Garden of Life grass-fed whey is a good isolate product. Just be aware that the combination of erythritol and stevia extract can be very sweet.

Devin L
on April 1, 2017 at 6:04 pm

Hi Alex,
Great write up on the Whey proteins. I’ve recently got back into working out with heavy weights and today I bought some Whey protein isolate to help me along with the DOMS.
I would appreciate your input on this brand. I paid 39.67 total for a 2lb bag,
It’s called Edge Whey protein Isolate. Here’s what it says on the bag. I’m having a problem finding out more information about it.

I would also like to know more about Bluebonnet whey protein isolate…I love the taste, and the mixability. But how do you rate it??

NC Guy
on April 25, 2017 at 8:20 am

Hi Alex,

I would like to know your opinion on plant based protein powder vs. whey protein powder. Which is better for building muscle? Is there any advantage at all to the plant based? More specifically, could you please share your opinion on these 3 products:

Your overall diet and type of training will play a major role in your ability to build muscle. So you can get results with a plant-based protein and whey protein powder. Whey protein has a higher amino acid profile, typically a higher protein content and unique compounds that plant-based protein powders do not have. For this reason, I think it is a better fit for men trying to put on muscle. My opinion is that some plant-based protein powders are more acceptable for women due to the higher fiber content, which benefits their hormones but can lower our testosterone (depending on the fiber amount). But some plant-based protein powders are better balanced for men. I have outlined the best plant-based protein powders here: http://paleoedge.com/best-plant-based-protein-powders/

1. Everything looks good except for the cheap B-vitamin additions like folic acid, cyanocobalamin and synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol). I would avoid this one.

2. I think this one has an unnecessary amount of additives (cellulose gum, xanthan gum, sunflower oil, acacia). Nothing is standing out as harmful, but there’s no need for any of those with a whey protein powder. Everything else looks clean.

3. The same is true of this one. I’m surprised the additives haven’t caused any digestive issues in people, but so far the feedback from readers has been positive.

Neil Hackman
on April 27, 2017 at 12:37 pm

I’ve been using the Mercola Pure Protein but noticed it is not labeled “grass fed” I wrote to the company and they say The cows are 100% pasture fed, grazing on grass that is not chemically treated. They are antibiotic free, but we cannot claim that they are hormone free. The whey comes from a number of different farms and as some lack this hormone free certification we cannot claim that it is hormone free on our end.” What do you think of this? I don’t know if I need to be shopping for a new one but my stomach is so sensitive to whey products (gas) and this one has never bothered me in two years. Thanks for any advice!

Alex Swanson
on April 27, 2017 at 3:57 pm

Hi Neil,

Their supply chain must have changed because that wasn’t true when I first added them to this article. I like companies that have a more direct supply chain where the consumer knows exactly what they are getting. The Pure Power Protein contains probiotics, which may be why you do better with it. Have you tried any of the other whey protein powders on this list? You could also add a probiotic supplement or try mixing other types of whey with yogurt and see if it prevents any digestive distress.

Jon
on April 27, 2017 at 11:12 pm

Hi_ I read thru all the great info but did not see my favorite whey – Energy First, What are you thoughts ?

Jon
on April 27, 2017 at 11:15 pm

More specifically Energy First Pro Energy Whey powder

Alex Swanson
on April 30, 2017 at 4:58 pm

Hi Jon,

Yes, everything checks out for Energy First Pro Energy.

Rosa
on May 1, 2017 at 1:41 pm

Hi Alex, what about Progressive Organic Whey Protein? Made from organic and non-GMO ingredients. The protein itself is derived from organically farmed cattle that are pasture raised and grass fed. Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on May 3, 2017 at 2:32 pm

Looks good!

Joel Carmona
on May 2, 2017 at 12:20 pm

Hey Alex!

Great stuff, but I didn’t see anyone ask about Earth Fed Muscle out of Pennsylvania. I dumped ON just this week after 12 solid years bc of the soy (and now after reading your article feel great about my decision).

Let me know what you think of their Vanilla and Chocolate. Tha is in advance!

– Joel

Alex Swanson
on May 3, 2017 at 2:35 pm

Hi Joel,

Looks like some tasty, clean formulas. Great find.

Sudheer
on June 2, 2017 at 9:38 pm

Hi can you please review level whey?

Alex Swanson
on June 4, 2017 at 10:50 am

Hi Sudheer,

Can you send a link? I’m having trouble finding it.

Jim
on June 3, 2017 at 7:59 pm

Hi Alex, The answer may be obvious, since this doesn’t say cold processed or hormone free or grass fed, but how bad is the Vitamin Shoppe’s BodyTech Whey Tech Pro 24? A 5 pounder is at least $20 less than your top pick. –Jim

Alex Swanson
on June 4, 2017 at 10:42 am

Hi Jim,

No, it is not grass-fed. Finding out if it was hormone and antibiotic free would take some more investigating. It contains artificial flavors, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose, so it would be on my worst list.

Hey Alex, just wondering if you require a bit more information to complete a review. I am still quite interested in your opinion on this product.

Alex Swanson
on June 27, 2017 at 8:11 pm

Hi Earl,

I apologize, I somehow missed your comment. Phil had just recently inquired about this product and everything checks out positive.

Kerianne
on June 9, 2017 at 8:37 am

Bluebonnet whey protein isolate….how do you rate it? I love the taste and the mixability.

Alex Swanson
on June 9, 2017 at 9:07 am

Hi Kerianne,

I commented on this one before. I’ll copy my reply here.

Everything for BlueBonnet looks good. Cold processing and low temperature processing is essentially used interchangeably. The important thing is that high temperature is not used. Price per serving is $1.61, so it is priced right in the middle range. It is an isolate, so if there is any lactose sensitivity it is preferred over a concentrate.

Angie
on June 15, 2017 at 11:55 pm

Hoping with all of this information you’ll know which would be best to use in cooking? Several recipes I’m being given to go low/no carb have whey protein; however, I have many allergies one being corn to the point that we eat grass-fed. It’s always nice to find others who have done the research and share it! Thank you for all of this.

There are a lot of raw recipes you could use with whey protein that would work.

Angie
on June 19, 2017 at 8:41 pm

Thanks! I’ll check it out. My allergies are what make it difficult to eat at all. Corn, garlic, tomatoes, and coconut are the food but it’s difficult to live without any of these except by going non-processed which is difficult where I live.

Ryan
on June 19, 2017 at 11:00 pm

Hi Alex,
I’ve been using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey for 2 months, and recently discovered that it contains Acesulfame K.
In consideration of switching to other brands, would you mind to give your opinion on the 2 products below:-
i)Nature’s Plus, Organic Pea Protein Powder:
ii)PRO-TF® Vanilla Cream

Thank you very much.

Alex Swanson
on June 22, 2017 at 8:09 am

Hi Ryan,

The pea protein looks great.

PRO-TF® Vanilla Cream contains both sucralose and acesulfame K, so I don’t recommend that one.

Hannah
on July 10, 2017 at 5:16 pm

What are your thoughts on catalyst grass fed whey protein?

Alex Swanson
on July 12, 2017 at 9:56 am

Hi Hannah,

Everything looks okay from what I can see. The added dextrose seems unnecessary. I would double check that the natural flavor does not contain MSG.

Michael
on July 13, 2017 at 3:14 pm

Alex,

Thanks for all of the great education you provide on the site, and, how involved you stay with everyone asking questions. I am 45 and have been back training swimming and running (400 m) the last couple of years and have not done a very good job with my diet. Now that I am super committed and training a lot of hours, I am just not recovering as well anymore. Thus, the need for me to completely overhaul my diet if I want to compete at the masters level. It has been incredibly difficult to sort through all of the information online regarding what brands to use, etc. Per your recommendations, I have ordered the Naturelo MV and the Promix. I also went on the 23 and me and ordered the tests and will also submit it over to you guys for evaluation once I get the results. Excited about that! Also, here are a few questions if you don’t mind.

1. Would you also give a thumbs up to the Natuerlo Omega’s? I have a little issue with inflammation from time to time (hoping the genetic test might shed a little light on that).

2. Pre-workout – Boy this has been incredibly tough to sort through. Looking for a quality brand that will have these key components (Beta Alanine, Citrulline Malate (this comes in various forms and I’m not sure which is the best for the body), a small amount of caffeine, Beet extract, and the proper branch chains to make all this work! And all these brands claim to have other ingredients that “help” but, I’m not sure how much of that is real and how much is marketing.

3. Can you comment briefly on terms such as Igf1-2, Alpha GPC, etc and things related to naturally increasing growth hormone? I just get totally lost.

I don’t want to overdue the supplements, but I am training really hard right now and want to find a good balance between supplements and diet (which I have done a great job of improving). Thank you kindly for your time and all of the great information you provide everyone!

Alex Swanson
on July 14, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Hi Michael,

I appreciate the kind feedback. Awesome! I think you will really appreciate the Nutrition Genome Report analysis.

1. Yes, Naturelo’s omega looks good.

2. I think the effectiveness of many pre-workout supplements is debatable. Essentially the only thing people really notice is a stimulant, like caffeine. I have noticed a difference with eleuthero root and beet juice. I like Herb Pharm’s Athlete’s Tonic or pure eleuthero root. I talk about both here: http://paleoedge.com/adaptogens-the-secret-weapon-for-athletes/. If you come across a product that you like, let me know.

3. I think this may be more suitable for a whole article because it is tough to explain briefly. I personally think that intermittent fasting and sprints are the best way to naturally increase human growth hormone.

Patrick
on August 2, 2017 at 1:55 pm

You said for Promix you were able to get a copy of the lab results. Could you dropbox, post them online somewhere where we all could see? Their website only has the numbers not the documents where they supposedly come from.

Alex Swanson
on August 2, 2017 at 2:10 pm

Hi Patrick,

The one I received is from a few years ago, so I need to request their latest one as well. But it shouldn’t have deviated. They asked for me not to post it online, but I will email it to you directly.

DBr
on August 3, 2017 at 3:22 pm

hi Alex,

will you be so kind to share your look on Naturade Grass Fed Whey Protein Booster and dr. Mercola products Pro-Optimal whey and Pure protein

many thanks..

Alex Swanson
on August 4, 2017 at 2:33 pm

Hi DBr,

I think that Naturade is a fine product in regards to the source and processing. The cane sugar addition is unnecessary, especially when combined with stevia. I would choose one that just uses stevia.

Mercola’s Pro-Optimal and Pure Power use to be on my best list, but a reader recently found out that their supply has changed and can’t guarantee a year-round grass-fed source.

Tom
on August 19, 2017 at 7:02 am

Hi Alex,
What are your thoughts on The Naked Co proteins? http://www.thenakedco.com.au/
I live in Australia so want to find a local option (AU or NZ). Antler seems to be based in the US but have a NZ product which means i wont be able to import it. Do you have any other Australian or NZ brands you recommend other than Wild Whey?
Thanks for your help!
Tom

Please let me know your thoughts on Cytosport – it is sold in huge volumes in Costco stores and is now owned by muscle milk (which is also sold in Costco stores), except that Cytosport ingredients seem different from muscle milk. Thank you.

Alex Swanson
on September 2, 2017 at 10:01 am

Hi Pete,

I would avoid Cytosport. Their whey protein concentrate comes from feedlots and contains sucralose, acesulfame K, and artificial flavors.

Arvind
on September 5, 2017 at 2:45 pm

Alex, when company claims their protein to be Grass fed – hormone free, no soy, natural tag, as a daily consumer of a product, what are the questions can i ask them to understand deep to verify, if they are really free from all those bad and Really grass-fed . Do i have to ask for some reports?

Jennifer
on September 23, 2017 at 5:47 am

I haven’t read ALL of the comments, but I would recommend Raw Grass Fed Whey. I buy it from Amazon, and it is the best price I have found. I just mix it with water and it tastes very similar to raw milk, which is illegal here in Illinois…go figure. Here is the link:

I want to make a few points related to pastured and grassfed since I was raised on a dairy farm (and yes, drank raw milk!).

People should not assume winter means grain fed. Farmers have the option of feeding the cows strictly bales in the winter. Bales are usually referred to as hay bales which are a mixture of grasses, clover, alfalfa, and possibly brome and timothy too. I am not saying most do this, since it is easier to leave the cows in the barn in winter and not pasture them, and just feed them grain based “chop”. The affect on milk between grass bales vs. eating growing pasture grasses is a different debate entirely.

Also, if cows are primaly pastured it does not necessarily mean they are grassfed, in the strictest sense of the word. Pastures are a mix of herbs, flowers, grasses, clover and alfalfa unless they are strictly seeded to be a monocrop. “Pastured” is definately a more accurate and honest term, unless 3rd party certification says it is exclusively grassfed. We shouldn’t assume just grass is better for cows and milk quality, than a wild polyculture of pasture plants.

For anyone interested in sustainable farming, and year round pasturing of animals in temperate climates, here is a nice documentary:https://vimeo.com/136857929

Alex Swanson
on September 28, 2017 at 5:01 pm

Hi Marty,

Great info, thanks.

My understanding is that whey can’t technically be called “raw” based on the FDA guidelines in the US. The milk is raw to start but then is flash pasteurized. Nevertheless, this is a great grass-fed whey protein from year-round pastures.

For Vital Proteins, you are correct that not all farms in Wisconsin can be looped into the grain-fed category during the winter. This really depends on the farm. When I was making phone calls regarding certain products that readers were asking about, the winter feed included grain. It is best to check with the company on the winter feed of their product when coming from Wisconsin.

The term “pastured” is definitely more accurate than grass-fed, and I think grass-fed and pastured have been interchangeable for many years. A mixture of herbs, flowers, and grasses are going to produce higher levels of certain compounds in the milk versus a monocrop of grass.

Christy Clark
on December 13, 2017 at 3:21 am

Actually #1 on the best protein powders should be Mattole Naturals goat milk whey protein powder. Also after reading what the author of this article said about researching if it is better to use a certain cow breed of whey protein powder over another, I would like to mention that yes, if you research the difference between cow breeds which carry ONLY the A2 protein instead of the A1 or A1 and A2 protein combined, you will learn that only cows which have just the A2 protein in their milk are the only cow breeds which actually beneficial milk for our human bodies. Jersey among a few others are the only just A2 protein cow breeds. Look them up if you want to know for sure exactly which ones. Unfortunately, the Souther Austrailian cows which Mattole Naturals uses for their bovine whey protein powders are not just A2 protein cow breeds, but it is important if you get cow whey protein powder to not only get one that is 100% grass-fed, but also one that is only from A2 protein cow breeds.

Have you reviewed and have a comment on BioTrust Low Carb Protein Powder? I’m interested in your opinion.

Alex Swanson
on December 31, 2017 at 8:23 pm

Hi Malcom,

Yes, I did review this one for a reader before. Here was my response:

First, they don’t use any artificial sweeteners, use hormone free whey (but doesn’t claim to be grass-fed) and low-temp processing. It is a 25% blend of whey protein concentrate, isolate, micellar casein and milk protein. This is similar to the Mt.Capra Double Bonded product. They also added prohydrolase, which is an enzyme that helps breakdown protein. I have seen this marketed as a separate supplement before. Their main marketing pitch is that their protein is time released, so allegedly you absorb more protein compared to other whey products. I can’t confirm if this is actually true without proper clinical testing of the product itself compared to other products. While I think the integrity of the product is good, I think it may be overhyped for its price when you can buy high-quality whey that delivers results at a lower price.

T
on January 5, 2018 at 10:12 am

Hi what do you think of reflex products?

Alex Swanson
on January 8, 2018 at 4:24 pm

Hi T,

I would avoid Reflex due to the use of sucralose.

T
on January 8, 2018 at 10:50 pm

hi, thanks, i see their Reflex ‘natural whey’ doesnt list sucralose. What about this one?

Alex Swanson
on January 8, 2018 at 10:57 pm

Hi T,

That one looks solid. The Bacillus Coagulans is definitely an interesting addition.

Alison
on January 10, 2018 at 2:15 am

Hi Alex,

I have been reading through all the comments and the dedication and time you’ve taken in responding to so many is wonderful.
I live in Australia and am looking for a quality whey protein isolate I can get here or nearby (eg New Zealand) that is not too expensive and would meet your criteria and standard of quality. There are so many out there it’s overwhelming and confusing!

I purchased once a protein isolate from a health food shop selling a range of bulk products and was sourced from a Wisconsin supplier which was really fine in texture, no smell, had sunflower lecithin and tasted pretty good however they cannot get it anymore. I then purchased online a WPI from Pure Product Australia, but it has a distinct- unpleasant-“milky” odour and is quite gritty (would a hydrolyzed isolate be better?)
The front of the packet states:
GMO Free, Natural Sweeteners, Pure Ingredients
however the ingredients list states only
Whey protein isolate, Lecithin.
It doesn’t mention what sweeteners, nor what type of lecithin is added… soy or sunflower…

Do you know of some reasonably priced WPI products / brands that I can purchase here or source nearby (eg New Zealand) that meet your quality standard and criteria?
I would appreciate your recommendation. Many thanks.

Alex Swanson
on January 12, 2018 at 4:42 am

Hi Alison,

You are lucky in that all of the whey in Australia and New Zealand are grass-fed (to the best of my knowledge). If you can find one that is cold-processed and doesn’t have any additives, you will be in good shape. Any of the ones I’m aware of get shipped from Austrailia and sold here (like Wild Whey). If you have any you want me to look at, feel free to send me a link and I’ll take a look.

Alison
on January 18, 2018 at 10:30 am

Thanks Alex, much appreciated. Will hopefully find something suitable and send a link for your review.

Temperance
on January 19, 2018 at 11:34 pm

Would love to see an updated list. There are so many products on the market and it’s a confusing road to filter through. I’m grateful for the dedicated research done here and I feel confident in choosing a protein powder to support my new fitness journey.

Alex Swanson
on January 19, 2018 at 11:37 pm

Hi Temperance,

I agree, the market has exploded in this arena. It’s hard to keep up with. Do you have any products that you would like me to analyze and potentially add to the list?

tina
on January 22, 2018 at 7:49 pm

Hi Alex, would you be able to have a look at Orgain protein powders please. They have an organic vegan and a grass fed whey version. Their website: http://orgain.com/

Thank you

Alex Swanson
on January 22, 2018 at 8:56 pm

Hi Tina,

I have had a few people ask about Orgain. In regards to the plant-based formula, I think it is a clean product. The combination of erythritol, acacia gum, guar gum, inulin, xanthum gum combined with the fiber of chia and hemp makes me wonder how well people are breaking this down. The same is true of the whey protein. I think they are using more thickeners and binders than they need to. Natural flavors also isn’t an ingredient I like to see because the companies don’t have to disclose what it is.

tina
on January 22, 2018 at 9:25 pm

Thank you for the reply. I’m trying to find a good protein powder, but I find it hard here in Mexico. I checked the ones on your good list but none ship here. Any ideas? Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on January 23, 2018 at 4:46 am

Hi Tina,

Have you seen any grass-fed whey protein powders in stores there?

tina
on January 23, 2018 at 3:14 pm

The Orgain one was the only one I found so far. I’ll have a look and if I find something I’ll get back to you, so you can have a look, if that’s okay.

tina
on February 8, 2018 at 3:14 pm

Hi Alex, I had a look at the shops, but all I could find were the usual proteins with not so good ingredients. So until I travel to US or back to Europe, my only choice is Orgain. Which one would you go for? The plant based or whey? I know they are not ideal, but it’s the best I can find and I don’t want to continue doing exercise without having something to feed the muscles straight after it.

Thank you.

Alex Swanson
on February 8, 2018 at 7:32 pm

Hi Tina,

If your primary goal is gaining muscle, then the Orgain Whey would be the best choice. Otherwise, the plant-based product is great for general recovery and protein intake.

tina
on February 9, 2018 at 1:04 am

Thank you very much for your answer.

Craig
on February 20, 2018 at 1:17 pm

Hi Alex
Very informative site – this is just what the man in the street needs!
What is your opinion on the MuscleTech range – specifically ‘Nitro Tech Whey Isolate Gold’?
Thanks.

Alex Swanson
on February 22, 2018 at 11:31 pm

Hi Craig,

Glad you are finding the site informative! Nitro Tech Whey Isolate Gold uses artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, so it is one I would avoid.

Fezz
on February 21, 2018 at 6:33 am

Hi Alex,

I’ve been using Promix and it’s great, downside is the shipping cost to my country……

Recently i found MusclePharm Grass-fed whey which is available in stores near me. what do you think of this product? Thanks in advance.

Alex Swanson
on February 22, 2018 at 11:44 pm

Hi Fezz,

Everything checks out from what I can see!

Fatima
on February 21, 2018 at 6:32 pm

Hi
I would like to about gymfit whey. What do you think about it. I live in egypt…
Thanks a lot

Alex Swanson
on February 22, 2018 at 11:42 pm

Hi Fatima,

I couldn’t find a website that shows all the ingredients. Do you have a link?

Ramona Moore
on March 14, 2018 at 8:43 pm

Hi…..I don’t know that much about all of the brands of Protein Pwd., but I’m getting quite an education…thanks. What do think about the brand “Natural Force” (unflavored,non GMO., USDA) etc. Like your input….thanks.R

I do have a slight lactose intolerance and I am curious how Casin affects that?

Thank you for your help!

Angel

Alex Swanson
on March 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm

Hi Angel,

Thank you! That’s nice of you to say. I sent a few questions to Ascent Whey Protein’s customer service, so I can’t comment on that one yet. Casein has some conflicting research regarding cancer growth. Some literature says that casein promotes existing cancer cells (mainly prostate) as made popular by T. Colin Campbell, while another says it acts as a tumor suppressor.

Then the next level is A1 beta-casein versus A2 beta-casein. You may have seen A2 milk in the stores. Research has found that A1 was much more inflammatory than A2. Of course, this was done on a Chinese population and may not be the best representation of dairy protein tolerance, but the other research has been done as well on the differences between A1 and A2.

The research on whey protein is much more consistent, and my current stance is to stick with whey and avoid isolated casein until more research is done.

Alex Swanson
on March 28, 2018 at 4:10 pm

Hi Angel,

I heard back from Ascent, and they do not use grass-fed whey, cannot determine if the natural flavors have MSG, and I’m not crazy about soy lecithin even in small amounts. There are plenty of other whey protein powders to choose from.

Angel
on March 28, 2018 at 6:21 pm

Thank you for your response! I will be trying Antler Farms WIP for sure. I have been using VEGA Clean protein for two months and I stumbled on this article.

Yes, I received a comment on another article about this finding. It is upsetting to say the least. Here was my response:

Heavy metal contamination exceeding healthy levels is becoming a real problem and it is a reflection of what is happening to our environment. It is impossible to avoid heavy metals altogether from plants, which will vary based on the soil and type of plant. Arsenic is higher in apples and rice, and cadmium is higher in cocoa beans. The levels will also vary across different geographical locations.

It can become a much bigger issue when we consume apple juice, rice powder or cocoa powder because the heavy metals are more concentrated if they were higher to begin with. This is the second time Garden of Life has made this list for one of their products. They were also just purchased by Nestle, which doesn’t give me a lot of faith in them moving forward. I highly recommend requesting a certificate of analysis from any company selling plant-based protein you are interested in purchasing. I will be conducting another request from the companies listed in this article to ensure the heavy metals are exceedingly low.

Randy Street
on April 9, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Alex,

I am hearing that Promix concentrate is relatively high in cholesterol content. This is something that I need to pay attention to. Do you have any thoughts about this? Thanks!

Alex Swanson
on April 9, 2018 at 10:50 pm

Hi Randy,

Dietary cholesterol often has little impact on total cholesterol levels, and in the case of whey, the amount would be fairly minimal at only 45mg per serving. There is 187mg of cholesterol in one egg, and research has shown that eggs have little impact on cholesterol levels. While inconsistent, there is some research that shows that whey protein may decrease cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent LDL oxidation.

Randy Street
on April 10, 2018 at 12:48 am

Alex,

Thanks for the informed perspective on this. Much appreciated.

David
on April 29, 2018 at 4:01 am

Hello Alex,

The amount of time you have spent responding to everyone on here is awesome! I have a protein I was hoping you could review. The brand is At Large Nutrition and the product is called Nitrean. Thank you very much!

Alex Swanson
on May 2, 2018 at 9:13 pm

Hi David,

I appreciate it! From what I can see, Nitrean looks like a solid product that is similar to Doubled Bonded Protein by Mt. Capra.